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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2023 Workiva-->
<!--r:1aeb7161-39d1-4f75-b162-3741b126ae5b,g:c1495fcb-9760-4fc7-a3a1-4aa0340780ea-->
<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.essentgroup.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheets"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" id="if5bea551f9f246aa9665dfec5ceb9b15_ConsolidatedBalanceSheets">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0e9c9593-d658-462e-b5a4-1776574fe11f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0e9c9593-d658-462e-b5a4-1776574fe11f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_4dc8de3e-55b7-494d-86fc-7cf164fe1b2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_4dc8de3e-55b7-494d-86fc-7cf164fe1b2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_9198aad6-3947-4f01-ba0a-238ccff0b900" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_4dc8de3e-55b7-494d-86fc-7cf164fe1b2d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_9198aad6-3947-4f01-ba0a-238ccff0b900" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_e050bf85-c075-4454-b162-7094f555ff29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_e050bf85-c075-4454-b162-7094f555ff29" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Investments_af9b42e5-4689-4f4e-bf78-3b93958a8761" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Investments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Investments_af9b42e5-4689-4f4e-bf78-3b93958a8761" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Cash_e2dc578b-4484-49ca-b3d5-fbdb60ee7b80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Cash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Cash_e2dc578b-4484-49ca-b3d5-fbdb60ee7b80" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable_63d0a4a9-3ea7-4713-b560-18e041a981fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable_63d0a4a9-3ea7-4713-b560-18e041a981fe" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_4907edb7-b8ad-4575-8058-f5ba245bb596" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_4907edb7-b8ad-4575-8058-f5ba245bb596" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_fd32be1f-4677-48f9-92b5-156c02513ccc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_fd32be1f-4677-48f9-92b5-156c02513ccc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_3fd154aa-1bcf-46a0-bff1-c8eab113e374" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_3fd154aa-1bcf-46a0-bff1-c8eab113e374" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_MortgageGuarantyInsurerUnitedStatesMortgageGuarantyTaxAndLossBonds_3443f8bc-0a5e-422e-9623-23e00fdebbb3" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_MortgageGuarantyInsurerUnitedStatesMortgageGuarantyTaxAndLossBonds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:to="loc_esnt_MortgageGuarantyInsurerUnitedStatesMortgageGuarantyTaxAndLossBonds_3443f8bc-0a5e-422e-9623-23e00fdebbb3" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_df699375-04c7-4aa2-8d0a-3a275b474aae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_df699375-04c7-4aa2-8d0a-3a275b474aae" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_35d69ccb-4bcd-488d-8853-a989381e1551" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_51ba616b-336b-4d60-8e27-70d480e19339" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_35d69ccb-4bcd-488d-8853-a989381e1551" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_26c05096-817d-4d09-af91-2dbce77f26a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0e9c9593-d658-462e-b5a4-1776574fe11f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_26c05096-817d-4d09-af91-2dbce77f26a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_bacf889e-e64d-4f14-8a46-0abce3d89f81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_26c05096-817d-4d09-af91-2dbce77f26a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_bacf889e-e64d-4f14-8a46-0abce3d89f81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense_bc903042-9c45-4325-beb5-a2b6c0a77dd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_bacf889e-e64d-4f14-8a46-0abce3d89f81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense_bc903042-9c45-4325-beb5-a2b6c0a77dd3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums_16b264f8-adc9-4ad6-b745-5a895d33b242" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_bacf889e-e64d-4f14-8a46-0abce3d89f81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums_16b264f8-adc9-4ad6-b745-5a895d33b242" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet_4ebcb008-b7b7-4230-80b4-95ab88143a3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_bacf889e-e64d-4f14-8a46-0abce3d89f81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet_4ebcb008-b7b7-4230-80b4-95ab88143a3c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_8ed15199-2056-43a1-b974-319694d79e27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_bacf889e-e64d-4f14-8a46-0abce3d89f81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_8ed15199-2056-43a1-b974-319694d79e27" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_721b4291-e309-4934-b209-5139d6af4e72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_bacf889e-e64d-4f14-8a46-0abce3d89f81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_721b4291-e309-4934-b209-5139d6af4e72" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_a2f66c07-1aa8-4b8d-8079-43e55a46fa5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_bacf889e-e64d-4f14-8a46-0abce3d89f81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_a2f66c07-1aa8-4b8d-8079-43e55a46fa5b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_8b575af3-241a-4ef3-917c-7702cc4f423f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_26c05096-817d-4d09-af91-2dbce77f26a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_8b575af3-241a-4ef3-917c-7702cc4f423f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_9171b4c5-2447-4efc-bc92-9b1415dc2157" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_26c05096-817d-4d09-af91-2dbce77f26a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_9171b4c5-2447-4efc-bc92-9b1415dc2157" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_04576198-bcdd-418e-87a2-54b32ae5890e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_9171b4c5-2447-4efc-bc92-9b1415dc2157" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_04576198-bcdd-418e-87a2-54b32ae5890e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_c001065e-5503-4a81-be95-7283c26a2f9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_9171b4c5-2447-4efc-bc92-9b1415dc2157" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_c001065e-5503-4a81-be95-7283c26a2f9a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_b22d09a6-9d41-4930-adec-8fefd7acfee6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_9171b4c5-2447-4efc-bc92-9b1415dc2157" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_b22d09a6-9d41-4930-adec-8fefd7acfee6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_13c3e0dd-da5a-4493-84e8-05bc4d4b2080" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_9171b4c5-2447-4efc-bc92-9b1415dc2157" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_13c3e0dd-da5a-4493-84e8-05bc4d4b2080" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_49f3f1ab-d040-4cee-b6ed-92753ad662e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_9171b4c5-2447-4efc-bc92-9b1415dc2157" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_49f3f1ab-d040-4cee-b6ed-92753ad662e9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_de1a0286-d7a0-472e-a089-cfc2cebca312" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_26c05096-817d-4d09-af91-2dbce77f26a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_de1a0286-d7a0-472e-a089-cfc2cebca312" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_3f95cf22-83fa-4580-b022-05ffa9298ac3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0e9c9593-d658-462e-b5a4-1776574fe11f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_3f95cf22-83fa-4580-b022-05ffa9298ac3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_cf3f45f5-e44a-49dc-82c2-d859721d3388" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_3f95cf22-83fa-4580-b022-05ffa9298ac3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_cf3f45f5-e44a-49dc-82c2-d859721d3388" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_cf3f45f5-e44a-49dc-82c2-d859721d3388_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_cf3f45f5-e44a-49dc-82c2-d859721d3388" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_cf3f45f5-e44a-49dc-82c2-d859721d3388_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_0da25531-c05e-4ebf-b0ac-7e39d395184f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_cf3f45f5-e44a-49dc-82c2-d859721d3388" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_0da25531-c05e-4ebf-b0ac-7e39d395184f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_84313617-9aa0-421a-9b57-a2a66e22e9da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_0da25531-c05e-4ebf-b0ac-7e39d395184f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_84313617-9aa0-421a-9b57-a2a66e22e9da" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_7bcdd3e7-1a2e-4ec1-99d5-18937ad82820" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_0da25531-c05e-4ebf-b0ac-7e39d395184f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_7bcdd3e7-1a2e-4ec1-99d5-18937ad82820" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" id="ie6fe7417a82a49ea826d5466cb63bca9_ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e86976fb-2f82-4fbc-9229-9b3beafbfef3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_0d6a850b-123a-4441-a3b5-28baef7619f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e86976fb-2f82-4fbc-9229-9b3beafbfef3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_0d6a850b-123a-4441-a3b5-28baef7619f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_0ee8d59c-fcb7-4c54-81e8-461f3beb41d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_0d6a850b-123a-4441-a3b5-28baef7619f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_0ee8d59c-fcb7-4c54-81e8-461f3beb41d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstract_2e88cc46-363a-460c-90af-09cb345baf78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e86976fb-2f82-4fbc-9229-9b3beafbfef3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstract_2e88cc46-363a-460c-90af-09cb345baf78" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_44e15cda-7b27-462f-a7a8-24926d8cf693" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstract_2e88cc46-363a-460c-90af-09cb345baf78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_44e15cda-7b27-462f-a7a8-24926d8cf693" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubordinatedBorrowingsAbstract_448a3196-8e8f-400a-b366-e1028852aff9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubordinatedBorrowingsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e86976fb-2f82-4fbc-9229-9b3beafbfef3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubordinatedBorrowingsAbstract_448a3196-8e8f-400a-b366-e1028852aff9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_900b372f-d3ca-4448-90df-b9a560ef9b86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubordinatedBorrowingsAbstract_448a3196-8e8f-400a-b366-e1028852aff9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_900b372f-d3ca-4448-90df-b9a560ef9b86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_645ee4c7-bda7-4e13-8856-00217a5360ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e86976fb-2f82-4fbc-9229-9b3beafbfef3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_645ee4c7-bda7-4e13-8856-00217a5360ce" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_1d8466c5-1ec2-41d7-9588-437d120c5e94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_645ee4c7-bda7-4e13-8856-00217a5360ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_1d8466c5-1ec2-41d7-9588-437d120c5e94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_c318afd5-848f-48de-97d9-49ee822b51d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_645ee4c7-bda7-4e13-8856-00217a5360ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_c318afd5-848f-48de-97d9-49ee822b51d1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_ac692930-5246-4a4f-ab93-91861475d025" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_645ee4c7-bda7-4e13-8856-00217a5360ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_ac692930-5246-4a4f-ab93-91861475d025" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_f1367ad0-f7d6-479e-8e08-dc17c0b2fe15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_645ee4c7-bda7-4e13-8856-00217a5360ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_f1367ad0-f7d6-479e-8e08-dc17c0b2fe15" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_4aa68e68-4b8c-43d9-9255-c27c348e0c8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e86976fb-2f82-4fbc-9229-9b3beafbfef3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_4aa68e68-4b8c-43d9-9255-c27c348e0c8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_12243d14-6612-4e0a-8b93-de54779c1adf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_4aa68e68-4b8c-43d9-9255-c27c348e0c8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_12243d14-6612-4e0a-8b93-de54779c1adf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_12243d14-6612-4e0a-8b93-de54779c1adf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_12243d14-6612-4e0a-8b93-de54779c1adf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_12243d14-6612-4e0a-8b93-de54779c1adf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_7d84ff71-db21-40a3-9989-a8c628f5aa91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_12243d14-6612-4e0a-8b93-de54779c1adf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_7d84ff71-db21-40a3-9989-a8c628f5aa91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_ac9b5c25-1939-4c0d-b464-d2eb0ccfd87b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_7d84ff71-db21-40a3-9989-a8c628f5aa91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_ac9b5c25-1939-4c0d-b464-d2eb0ccfd87b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_1fb4aca5-38e9-46dc-af75-026932e54c4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_7d84ff71-db21-40a3-9989-a8c628f5aa91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_1fb4aca5-38e9-46dc-af75-026932e54c4c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinStockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="i76292e6b7a654ae5b34e5b894c06b9ea_ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinStockholdersEquity">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_cdf18ca5-05f1-432a-bdea-4af1a9decf30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_bcd7389a-089f-446b-9952-6bc6f09c8c16" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_cdf18ca5-05f1-432a-bdea-4af1a9decf30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_bcd7389a-089f-446b-9952-6bc6f09c8c16" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_a77c8ef8-cf33-46f8-8e14-9a310e264b46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_bcd7389a-089f-446b-9952-6bc6f09c8c16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_a77c8ef8-cf33-46f8-8e14-9a310e264b46" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_602d0de9-b76c-4577-8780-ba072cc623ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_bcd7389a-089f-446b-9952-6bc6f09c8c16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_602d0de9-b76c-4577-8780-ba072cc623ee" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_e530d540-e9e6-4d29-b14d-b5e964bc0f5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_bcd7389a-089f-446b-9952-6bc6f09c8c16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_e530d540-e9e6-4d29-b14d-b5e964bc0f5c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Dividends_19d35107-13f2-4790-9aee-5dd608122af4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Dividends"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_bcd7389a-089f-446b-9952-6bc6f09c8c16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Dividends_19d35107-13f2-4790-9aee-5dd608122af4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_958ce86c-5c9d-40cc-bf9c-fb72d269c6f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_bcd7389a-089f-446b-9952-6bc6f09c8c16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_958ce86c-5c9d-40cc-bf9c-fb72d269c6f2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_6b724115-a2be-42b5-ac7c-bece830b67cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_bcd7389a-089f-446b-9952-6bc6f09c8c16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_6b724115-a2be-42b5-ac7c-bece830b67cd" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_deb6d8ea-9b34-4e13-ab0b-1d2d9c0eac96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_bcd7389a-089f-446b-9952-6bc6f09c8c16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_deb6d8ea-9b34-4e13-ab0b-1d2d9c0eac96" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_48a61b9c-13f1-4602-913d-861e3c58a1a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_bcd7389a-089f-446b-9952-6bc6f09c8c16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_48a61b9c-13f1-4602-913d-861e3c58a1a1" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredCostMethodAmount_e15c1c86-af38-4aa1-9d34-ee19ce648d34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredCostMethodAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_bcd7389a-089f-446b-9952-6bc6f09c8c16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredCostMethodAmount_e15c1c86-af38-4aa1-9d34-ee19ce648d34" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_d9c08995-8b72-4b20-80ff-39ded399bdb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_80d22ab3-e71c-4b42-b3cd-cb90ba42c7db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_cdf18ca5-05f1-432a-bdea-4af1a9decf30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_80d22ab3-e71c-4b42-b3cd-cb90ba42c7db" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3e7ca8c2-3f4d-4909-8116-71576049748a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_80d22ab3-e71c-4b42-b3cd-cb90ba42c7db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3e7ca8c2-3f4d-4909-8116-71576049748a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3e7ca8c2-3f4d-4909-8116-71576049748a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3e7ca8c2-3f4d-4909-8116-71576049748a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3e7ca8c2-3f4d-4909-8116-71576049748a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_751db0db-6a9e-4244-be19-4399d82dd830" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3e7ca8c2-3f4d-4909-8116-71576049748a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_751db0db-6a9e-4244-be19-4399d82dd830" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_0c7aaed1-1adc-4442-892e-719724e45f81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_751db0db-6a9e-4244-be19-4399d82dd830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_0c7aaed1-1adc-4442-892e-719724e45f81" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_ccc8c641-3d0b-422c-a303-e2cace0079da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_751db0db-6a9e-4244-be19-4399d82dd830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_ccc8c641-3d0b-422c-a303-e2cace0079da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_2e6cd2a6-fc7d-4765-87eb-564edb35bb73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_751db0db-6a9e-4244-be19-4399d82dd830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_2e6cd2a6-fc7d-4765-87eb-564edb35bb73" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_728070d3-c58f-4e61-b2b0-8cde80c9975d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_751db0db-6a9e-4244-be19-4399d82dd830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_728070d3-c58f-4e61-b2b0-8cde80c9975d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_dc227a0b-2fe5-44fc-9d40-463227a1586d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_751db0db-6a9e-4244-be19-4399d82dd830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_dc227a0b-2fe5-44fc-9d40-463227a1586d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i573255589a7446f6ac7987b9c2b87196_NatureofOperationsandBasisofPresentationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_1c4b1699-3d2e-437f-b129-ca8dc63270f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_FinancingReceivableConsumerMortgageInsuredDownPaymentPercentage_91593ba0-74f4-488c-ba39-855e36db1cbc" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_FinancingReceivableConsumerMortgageInsuredDownPaymentPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_1c4b1699-3d2e-437f-b129-ca8dc63270f1" xlink:to="loc_esnt_FinancingReceivableConsumerMortgageInsuredDownPaymentPercentage_91593ba0-74f4-488c-ba39-855e36db1cbc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates_43b33e4d-750c-4a7c-8121-9ae1a93c907c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_1c4b1699-3d2e-437f-b129-ca8dc63270f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates_43b33e4d-750c-4a7c-8121-9ae1a93c907c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyReinsuredRiskPercentage_c560566d-7066-45a2-a131-7515b4c94d0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyReinsuredRiskPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_1c4b1699-3d2e-437f-b129-ca8dc63270f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyReinsuredRiskPercentage_c560566d-7066-45a2-a131-7515b4c94d0c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyReinsuredRiskPercentageThreshold_7691a200-5f5f-4998-b6b2-56199b3f298d" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyReinsuredRiskPercentageThreshold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_1c4b1699-3d2e-437f-b129-ca8dc63270f1" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRetentionPolicyReinsuredRiskPercentageThreshold_7691a200-5f5f-4998-b6b2-56199b3f298d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_9a1c0bf5-e42a-4451-aa0c-1949c0e96760" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_1c4b1699-3d2e-437f-b129-ca8dc63270f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_9a1c0bf5-e42a-4451-aa0c-1949c0e96760" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_8d95d404-fa3c-4f2d-9605-715967745508" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_9a1c0bf5-e42a-4451-aa0c-1949c0e96760" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_8d95d404-fa3c-4f2d-9605-715967745508" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8d95d404-fa3c-4f2d-9605-715967745508_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_8d95d404-fa3c-4f2d-9605-715967745508" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8d95d404-fa3c-4f2d-9605-715967745508_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_7755a0c9-e79c-43a2-9070-9ed0cdee8ee4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_8d95d404-fa3c-4f2d-9605-715967745508" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_7755a0c9-e79c-43a2-9070-9ed0cdee8ee4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_676ef5fa-dc09-41ea-b78a-6e7f5842927d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_AffiliatedEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_7755a0c9-e79c-43a2-9070-9ed0cdee8ee4" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_676ef5fa-dc09-41ea-b78a-6e7f5842927d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_ee36f174-75d9-4543-a344-faa8b2ba153d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_9a1c0bf5-e42a-4451-aa0c-1949c0e96760" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_ee36f174-75d9-4543-a344-faa8b2ba153d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_ee36f174-75d9-4543-a344-faa8b2ba153d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_ee36f174-75d9-4543-a344-faa8b2ba153d" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_ee36f174-75d9-4543-a344-faa8b2ba153d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_17a56e84-93c3-458f-924c-2f2eff1f1bb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_ee36f174-75d9-4543-a344-faa8b2ba153d" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_17a56e84-93c3-458f-924c-2f2eff1f1bb0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_8daafd57-c73e-4333-a65a-64a00dfa3fee" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_17a56e84-93c3-458f-924c-2f2eff1f1bb0" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_8daafd57-c73e-4333-a65a-64a00dfa3fee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember_3d6fe44e-c6e9-4ff5-9760-734239aec5fc" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_17a56e84-93c3-458f-924c-2f2eff1f1bb0" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember_3d6fe44e-c6e9-4ff5-9760-734239aec5fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_64e9148a-d363-464a-9dc5-405acfa5dbf1" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentPAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_17a56e84-93c3-458f-924c-2f2eff1f1bb0" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_64e9148a-d363-464a-9dc5-405acfa5dbf1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_7df2f11e-5b1f-4720-8f76-5cc8a665594a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_9a1c0bf5-e42a-4451-aa0c-1949c0e96760" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_7df2f11e-5b1f-4720-8f76-5cc8a665594a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_7df2f11e-5b1f-4720-8f76-5cc8a665594a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_7df2f11e-5b1f-4720-8f76-5cc8a665594a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_7df2f11e-5b1f-4720-8f76-5cc8a665594a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_60958017-4418-44ec-bedb-ed0b524dc237" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_7df2f11e-5b1f-4720-8f76-5cc8a665594a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_60958017-4418-44ec-bedb-ed0b524dc237" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_QuotaShareReinsuranceTransactionMember_602cef4c-ee2d-4edb-aa6d-eb8f268916b2" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_QuotaShareReinsuranceTransactionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_60958017-4418-44ec-bedb-ed0b524dc237" xlink:to="loc_esnt_QuotaShareReinsuranceTransactionMember_602cef4c-ee2d-4edb-aa6d-eb8f268916b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ExcessMortgageInsuranceCoverageMember_8b1b4aff-f53b-4be0-96e8-5e7a7720f8bd" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ExcessMortgageInsuranceCoverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_60958017-4418-44ec-bedb-ed0b524dc237" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ExcessMortgageInsuranceCoverageMember_8b1b4aff-f53b-4be0-96e8-5e7a7720f8bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_657c47cb-5327-4d28-9428-4bd93617e7cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_9a1c0bf5-e42a-4451-aa0c-1949c0e96760" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_657c47cb-5327-4d28-9428-4bd93617e7cf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_657c47cb-5327-4d28-9428-4bd93617e7cf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_657c47cb-5327-4d28-9428-4bd93617e7cf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_657c47cb-5327-4d28-9428-4bd93617e7cf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_9f94ee7b-d816-4a69-87ec-0be5a0bc7be5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_657c47cb-5327-4d28-9428-4bd93617e7cf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_9f94ee7b-d816-4a69-87ec-0be5a0bc7be5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_8f4998dd-79a1-4e96-ad0d-776f37bd11c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_9f94ee7b-d816-4a69-87ec-0be5a0bc7be5" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_8f4998dd-79a1-4e96-ad0d-776f37bd11c3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesLongLivedAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesLongLivedAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesLongLivedAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia72917ff088b47a199ed1395c57a2b44_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesLongLivedAssetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_8d3f75a4-b781-473a-8bef-225b0dd77471" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_6580ea60-ebf4-49ad-a1b5-cdafad37b91d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_8d3f75a4-b781-473a-8bef-225b0dd77471" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_6580ea60-ebf4-49ad-a1b5-cdafad37b91d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_0509f1ac-ef7e-447b-a7bd-becb4d1f71e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_8d3f75a4-b781-473a-8bef-225b0dd77471" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_0509f1ac-ef7e-447b-a7bd-becb4d1f71e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_9bd25945-4d5a-49ce-b781-5a344ead82fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_8d3f75a4-b781-473a-8bef-225b0dd77471" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_9bd25945-4d5a-49ce-b781-5a344ead82fa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_d73e5572-665b-450c-8418-e0c8ac5458b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_8d3f75a4-b781-473a-8bef-225b0dd77471" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_d73e5572-665b-450c-8418-e0c8ac5458b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_2765c310-b8ea-4dca-ac6b-74dc48399553" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_d73e5572-665b-450c-8418-e0c8ac5458b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_2765c310-b8ea-4dca-ac6b-74dc48399553" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_2765c310-b8ea-4dca-ac6b-74dc48399553_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_2765c310-b8ea-4dca-ac6b-74dc48399553" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_2765c310-b8ea-4dca-ac6b-74dc48399553_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_490765a2-d016-4c10-b1a0-3dc494da9581" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_2765c310-b8ea-4dca-ac6b-74dc48399553" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_490765a2-d016-4c10-b1a0-3dc494da9581" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_9d11a635-6c99-4f6b-a695-2704c410eb67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_490765a2-d016-4c10-b1a0-3dc494da9581" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_9d11a635-6c99-4f6b-a695-2704c410eb67" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EquipmentComputerHardwareAndPurchasedSoftwareMember_df5e78f9-e6cb-4961-8084-57b420e70e00" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EquipmentComputerHardwareAndPurchasedSoftwareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_490765a2-d016-4c10-b1a0-3dc494da9581" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EquipmentComputerHardwareAndPurchasedSoftwareMember_df5e78f9-e6cb-4961-8084-57b420e70e00" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember_04aa9e52-f4a3-4eba-a763-7ccf55888b3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_490765a2-d016-4c10-b1a0-3dc494da9581" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember_04aa9e52-f4a3-4eba-a763-7ccf55888b3e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OfficeEquipmentMember_db39f444-aa00-4ca4-9c3b-4b2d2f19159c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OfficeEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_490765a2-d016-4c10-b1a0-3dc494da9581" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OfficeEquipmentMember_db39f444-aa00-4ca4-9c3b-4b2d2f19159c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComputerEquipmentMember_fcc16047-427e-4d87-9a6e-f24c3c6a41dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ComputerEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_490765a2-d016-4c10-b1a0-3dc494da9581" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComputerEquipmentMember_fcc16047-427e-4d87-9a6e-f24c3c6a41dd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_PurchasedSoftwareMember_68ffcbaf-f522-4438-88a3-0eb339842a3e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_PurchasedSoftwareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_490765a2-d016-4c10-b1a0-3dc494da9581" xlink:to="loc_esnt_PurchasedSoftwareMember_68ffcbaf-f522-4438-88a3-0eb339842a3e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_7513063b-0017-4e00-9b20-9866bda7d0b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_490765a2-d016-4c10-b1a0-3dc494da9581" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_7513063b-0017-4e00-9b20-9866bda7d0b8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fec03b53-44f0-4525-a2c7-710527a991d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_d73e5572-665b-450c-8418-e0c8ac5458b5" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fec03b53-44f0-4525-a2c7-710527a991d7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_fec03b53-44f0-4525-a2c7-710527a991d7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fec03b53-44f0-4525-a2c7-710527a991d7" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_fec03b53-44f0-4525-a2c7-710527a991d7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_61d5cbb9-6e3e-4564-b3ae-f1e5fc795237" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fec03b53-44f0-4525-a2c7-710527a991d7" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_61d5cbb9-6e3e-4564-b3ae-f1e5fc795237" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_e3bf508c-2672-4f76-acbf-109c876097a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_61d5cbb9-6e3e-4564-b3ae-f1e5fc795237" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_e3bf508c-2672-4f76-acbf-109c876097a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_c0d2cfd6-ed28-4b70-9ff9-7b2afcc97ea8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_61d5cbb9-6e3e-4564-b3ae-f1e5fc795237" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_c0d2cfd6-ed28-4b70-9ff9-7b2afcc97ea8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie97426f8182f4050a95d0768d6a3877a_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsLineItems_85dc4842-d0a9-45ea-bee1-5ccd8f897d7e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDisclosuresAbstract_e7764132-6036-4857-9f56-bfe9888a2503" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDisclosuresAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsLineItems_85dc4842-d0a9-45ea-bee1-5ccd8f897d7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDisclosuresAbstract_e7764132-6036-4857-9f56-bfe9888a2503" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions_c0ba2374-e191-41df-af39-488901f9840d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDisclosuresAbstract_e7764132-6036-4857-9f56-bfe9888a2503" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions_c0ba2374-e191-41df-af39-488901f9840d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense_6aae782f-51a3-430e-a02e-1b45576e3ed6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDisclosuresAbstract_e7764132-6036-4857-9f56-bfe9888a2503" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense_6aae782f-51a3-430e-a02e-1b45576e3ed6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsTable_88c9b684-adb5-4228-91f5-4b775852e759" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_esnt_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsLineItems_85dc4842-d0a9-45ea-bee1-5ccd8f897d7e" xlink:to="loc_esnt_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsTable_88c9b684-adb5-4228-91f5-4b775852e759" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_54d358c1-029b-41d8-82c9-87bf49fc3c2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_esnt_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsTable_88c9b684-adb5-4228-91f5-4b775852e759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_54d358c1-029b-41d8-82c9-87bf49fc3c2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_54d358c1-029b-41d8-82c9-87bf49fc3c2d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_54d358c1-029b-41d8-82c9-87bf49fc3c2d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_54d358c1-029b-41d8-82c9-87bf49fc3c2d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_eb548139-85bc-4400-9e1f-71c3f36fd2a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_54d358c1-029b-41d8-82c9-87bf49fc3c2d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_eb548139-85bc-4400-9e1f-71c3f36fd2a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_OtherUnderwritingAndOperatingExpensesMember_e9ecac04-5510-493e-a7b7-0397b64f8739" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_OtherUnderwritingAndOperatingExpensesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_eb548139-85bc-4400-9e1f-71c3f36fd2a7" xlink:to="loc_esnt_OtherUnderwritingAndOperatingExpensesMember_e9ecac04-5510-493e-a7b7-0397b64f8739" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofAvailableforSaleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#InvestmentsScheduleofAvailableforSaleDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofAvailableforSaleDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id523f7961ace4eb1bf0a36ebca1f128f_InvestmentsScheduleofAvailableforSaleDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_5e22bd30-b2fd-4e4b-aad7-b796a38e3b36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_d60d17a4-e9f6-42b0-8891-01913ad2b25f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_5e22bd30-b2fd-4e4b-aad7-b796a38e3b36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_d60d17a4-e9f6-42b0-8891-01913ad2b25f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_c3db6459-e156-46ab-85df-f13f6ca64b06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_5e22bd30-b2fd-4e4b-aad7-b796a38e3b36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_c3db6459-e156-46ab-85df-f13f6ca64b06" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_0de8241d-43fc-4725-b531-abb81ad9f0c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_5e22bd30-b2fd-4e4b-aad7-b796a38e3b36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_0de8241d-43fc-4725-b531-abb81ad9f0c2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingAndAvailableForSale_436ab834-d4ad-477c-b025-67adfbf40f14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingAndAvailableForSale"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_5e22bd30-b2fd-4e4b-aad7-b796a38e3b36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingAndAvailableForSale_436ab834-d4ad-477c-b025-67adfbf40f14" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_e57e925a-70fb-467b-8b16-1703bac7c4a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_5e22bd30-b2fd-4e4b-aad7-b796a38e3b36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_e57e925a-70fb-467b-8b16-1703bac7c4a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_1d5b1f0d-db16-4999-9ea8-d95e1dda0591" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_e57e925a-70fb-467b-8b16-1703bac7c4a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_1d5b1f0d-db16-4999-9ea8-d95e1dda0591" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_1d5b1f0d-db16-4999-9ea8-d95e1dda0591_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_1d5b1f0d-db16-4999-9ea8-d95e1dda0591" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_1d5b1f0d-db16-4999-9ea8-d95e1dda0591_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_25e72afd-2528-42d9-8d25-718d2464e5c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_1d5b1f0d-db16-4999-9ea8-d95e1dda0591" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_25e72afd-2528-42d9-8d25-718d2464e5c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_acbd0afa-803f-478c-abb6-cba815a5397b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_25e72afd-2528-42d9-8d25-718d2464e5c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_acbd0afa-803f-478c-abb6-cba815a5397b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_4dce59b4-9a68-4975-acb5-68b0d5af4473" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_25e72afd-2528-42d9-8d25-718d2464e5c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_4dce59b4-9a68-4975-acb5-68b0d5af4473" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_11bdfeac-c0f0-4a57-b549-0cc4dd1525f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_25e72afd-2528-42d9-8d25-718d2464e5c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_11bdfeac-c0f0-4a57-b549-0cc4dd1525f3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_97ef41db-ddf5-46cd-85a4-23315b765b3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_25e72afd-2528-42d9-8d25-718d2464e5c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_97ef41db-ddf5-46cd-85a4-23315b765b3f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_6225d17b-7df3-423d-bad3-1576c67ef5c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_25e72afd-2528-42d9-8d25-718d2464e5c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_6225d17b-7df3-423d-bad3-1576c67ef5c7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_fefd5910-2cb3-4969-8e92-d82961206188" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_25e72afd-2528-42d9-8d25-718d2464e5c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_fefd5910-2cb3-4969-8e92-d82961206188" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember_2a2af30b-8ed2-4443-9b55-6b6d47d93ae9" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_25e72afd-2528-42d9-8d25-718d2464e5c1" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember_2a2af30b-8ed2-4443-9b55-6b6d47d93ae9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_3feb1a5d-68e3-4193-bbe2-547f13931610" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_25e72afd-2528-42d9-8d25-718d2464e5c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_3feb1a5d-68e3-4193-bbe2-547f13931610" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_65c15669-76a1-478b-9587-d26a1c810a31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_25e72afd-2528-42d9-8d25-718d2464e5c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_65c15669-76a1-478b-9587-d26a1c810a31" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofMunicipalDebtSecuritiesandCorporateDebtSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#InvestmentsScheduleofMunicipalDebtSecuritiesandCorporateDebtSecuritiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofMunicipalDebtSecuritiesandCorporateDebtSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if084c06d62874562831d933c0b956577_InvestmentsScheduleofMunicipalDebtSecuritiesandCorporateDebtSecuritiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_afe87b32-6875-413f-85e9-ce63bb21a9a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets_cb8d4647-07da-46de-9a37-ee5064c9492d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_afe87b32-6875-413f-85e9-ce63bb21a9a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets_cb8d4647-07da-46de-9a37-ee5064c9492d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_5c66fedf-498a-480b-a2d8-218e3b91f4ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_afe87b32-6875-413f-85e9-ce63bb21a9a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_5c66fedf-498a-480b-a2d8-218e3b91f4ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis_397c4da5-adb6-4694-b745-ee65ea8b8c79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_5c66fedf-498a-480b-a2d8-218e3b91f4ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis_397c4da5-adb6-4694-b745-ee65ea8b8c79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_397c4da5-adb6-4694-b745-ee65ea8b8c79_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis_397c4da5-adb6-4694-b745-ee65ea8b8c79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_397c4da5-adb6-4694-b745-ee65ea8b8c79_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis_397c4da5-adb6-4694-b745-ee65ea8b8c79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_SpecialRevenueMunicipalBondsMember_de2385dc-8d57-42b8-a857-4fec01459448" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_SpecialRevenueMunicipalBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_SpecialRevenueMunicipalBondsMember_de2385dc-8d57-42b8-a857-4fec01459448" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_GeneralObligationMunicipalBondsMember_bae62ff2-cb8e-4a6c-8d29-c707bdb54a6e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_GeneralObligationMunicipalBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_GeneralObligationMunicipalBondsMember_bae62ff2-cb8e-4a6c-8d29-c707bdb54a6e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CertificationOfParticipationBondsMember_e4cf4782-6314-4eed-9e00-33fd5d72c918" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CertificationOfParticipationBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CertificationOfParticipationBondsMember_e4cf4782-6314-4eed-9e00-33fd5d72c918" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TaxAllocationMunicipalBondsMember_edbe666e-e8ea-4477-a77c-1145e37add39" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TaxAllocationMunicipalBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TaxAllocationMunicipalBondsMember_edbe666e-e8ea-4477-a77c-1145e37add39" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_FinancialSectorMember_3eca3cb9-076c-4cd4-8eaa-b6f3536d1753" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_FinancialSectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_FinancialSectorMember_3eca3cb9-076c-4cd4-8eaa-b6f3536d1753" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ConsumerNoncyclicalSectorMember_07a5f3d6-28d7-40b1-a756-a47d0fe1096a" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ConsumerNoncyclicalSectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ConsumerNoncyclicalSectorMember_07a5f3d6-28d7-40b1-a756-a47d0fe1096a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CommunicationsSectorMember_e87617cf-0d20-411e-ae35-1d73a63fe158" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CommunicationsSectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CommunicationsSectorMember_e87617cf-0d20-411e-ae35-1d73a63fe158" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ConsumerCyclicalSectorMember_cea3c33d-552f-4e5b-b70d-9abbbe0c9047" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ConsumerCyclicalSectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ConsumerCyclicalSectorMember_cea3c33d-552f-4e5b-b70d-9abbbe0c9047" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_IndustrialSectorMember_7e4ce379-6285-4d6a-b2c2-566412e9511f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_IndustrialSectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_IndustrialSectorMember_7e4ce379-6285-4d6a-b2c2-566412e9511f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EnergySectorMember_c08a1daf-8eec-474a-9e0e-a0d2a817ba0e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EnergySectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EnergySectorMember_c08a1daf-8eec-474a-9e0e-a0d2a817ba0e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_UtilitiesSectorMember_abe92c43-f3d6-42dc-90d1-066eff37482f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_UtilitiesSectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_UtilitiesSectorMember_abe92c43-f3d6-42dc-90d1-066eff37482f" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TechnologyDebtSectorMember_b1ebe3fc-902f-46b5-b08a-09fad0770abf" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TechnologyDebtSectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TechnologyDebtSectorMember_b1ebe3fc-902f-46b5-b08a-09fad0770abf" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_BasicMaterialsSectorMember_780021c0-68b8-42ca-bf6e-07fbb752f3e5" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_BasicMaterialsSectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_BasicMaterialsSectorMember_780021c0-68b8-42ca-bf6e-07fbb752f3e5" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_GovernmentInvestmentSectorMember_e950420f-77ed-4f2d-84cb-fcaafa21320f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_GovernmentInvestmentSectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_a62fb854-ec58-4947-85b3-4a5da3bff013" xlink:to="loc_esnt_GovernmentInvestmentSectorMember_e950420f-77ed-4f2d-84cb-fcaafa21320f" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_a55cb1ca-d2ce-4ecb-9ea9-d93215ea7d62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_5c66fedf-498a-480b-a2d8-218e3b91f4ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_a55cb1ca-d2ce-4ecb-9ea9-d93215ea7d62" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_a55cb1ca-d2ce-4ecb-9ea9-d93215ea7d62_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_a55cb1ca-d2ce-4ecb-9ea9-d93215ea7d62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_a55cb1ca-d2ce-4ecb-9ea9-d93215ea7d62_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_9b09883d-7b8b-42e6-b400-6dabfed9963c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_a55cb1ca-d2ce-4ecb-9ea9-d93215ea7d62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_9b09883d-7b8b-42e6-b400-6dabfed9963c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_11f14ed7-c79a-4049-8205-89350c45de17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_9b09883d-7b8b-42e6-b400-6dabfed9963c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_11f14ed7-c79a-4049-8205-89350c45de17" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_20451bc9-13be-4854-aa66-7cbeb6bd55e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_9b09883d-7b8b-42e6-b400-6dabfed9963c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_20451bc9-13be-4854-aa66-7cbeb6bd55e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofAvailableForSaleMaturityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#InvestmentsScheduleofAvailableForSaleMaturityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofAvailableForSaleMaturityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idfe105c330d64ec69735f0168de7786d_InvestmentsScheduleofAvailableForSaleMaturityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_17dd34bb-b763-4bdb-adbe-73dd04494b9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCostBasisRollingMaturityAbstract_11a25652-3aea-4cb7-87dc-9acf4574007a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCostBasisRollingMaturityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_17dd34bb-b763-4bdb-adbe-73dd04494b9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCostBasisRollingMaturityAbstract_11a25652-3aea-4cb7-87dc-9acf4574007a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesNextRollingTwelveMonthsAmortizedCostBasis_f64c59f1-23b7-4f1c-a158-ebb1d2f27738" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesNextRollingTwelveMonthsAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCostBasisRollingMaturityAbstract_11a25652-3aea-4cb7-87dc-9acf4574007a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesNextRollingTwelveMonthsAmortizedCostBasis_f64c59f1-23b7-4f1c-a158-ebb1d2f27738" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearTwoThroughFiveAmortizedCostBasis_29a7616a-8a71-4899-9ddc-d3b4b255eee8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearTwoThroughFiveAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCostBasisRollingMaturityAbstract_11a25652-3aea-4cb7-87dc-9acf4574007a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearTwoThroughFiveAmortizedCostBasis_29a7616a-8a71-4899-9ddc-d3b4b255eee8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearSixThroughTenAmortizedCostBasis_e82725cc-f3d8-4310-bb07-51402ce1eec0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearSixThroughTenAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCostBasisRollingMaturityAbstract_11a25652-3aea-4cb7-87dc-9acf4574007a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearSixThroughTenAmortizedCostBasis_e82725cc-f3d8-4310-bb07-51402ce1eec0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingAfterYearTenAmortizedCostBasis_4d8afaa8-c37f-48b5-bdab-e031bc40b52b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingAfterYearTenAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCostBasisRollingMaturityAbstract_11a25652-3aea-4cb7-87dc-9acf4574007a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingAfterYearTenAmortizedCostBasis_4d8afaa8-c37f-48b5-bdab-e031bc40b52b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesSingleMaturityDateAmortizedCostBasis_626009fd-b8ca-409e-b103-cbc7e5ead8a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesSingleMaturityDateAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCostBasisRollingMaturityAbstract_11a25652-3aea-4cb7-87dc-9acf4574007a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesSingleMaturityDateAmortizedCostBasis_626009fd-b8ca-409e-b103-cbc7e5ead8a5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_a9561703-638b-4697-bff2-940388bc0519" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCostBasisRollingMaturityAbstract_11a25652-3aea-4cb7-87dc-9acf4574007a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_a9561703-638b-4697-bff2-940388bc0519" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_427ac142-922b-4632-9a94-c831ce6631cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_17dd34bb-b763-4bdb-adbe-73dd04494b9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_427ac142-922b-4632-9a94-c831ce6631cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesNextRollingTwelveMonthsFairValue_a6ee9ee2-7785-4b2b-b5be-02ece6e627e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesNextRollingTwelveMonthsFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_427ac142-922b-4632-9a94-c831ce6631cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesNextRollingTwelveMonthsFairValue_a6ee9ee2-7785-4b2b-b5be-02ece6e627e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearTwoThroughFiveFairValue_62b835ae-acd8-4a44-8477-af6482292dd2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearTwoThroughFiveFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_427ac142-922b-4632-9a94-c831ce6631cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearTwoThroughFiveFairValue_62b835ae-acd8-4a44-8477-af6482292dd2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearSixThroughTenFairValue_e2a5e8cd-1dc5-4614-b1ec-a5e36332f447" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearSixThroughTenFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_427ac142-922b-4632-9a94-c831ce6631cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingYearSixThroughTenFairValue_e2a5e8cd-1dc5-4614-b1ec-a5e36332f447" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingAfterYearTenFairValue_3883a8d9-c705-4a3c-a843-1f632f7d5141" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingAfterYearTenFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_427ac142-922b-4632-9a94-c831ce6631cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesRollingAfterYearTenFairValue_3883a8d9-c705-4a3c-a843-1f632f7d5141" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesSingleMaturityDate_da831398-2733-4cf8-bd70-e0b75e388c35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesSingleMaturityDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_427ac142-922b-4632-9a94-c831ce6631cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesSingleMaturityDate_da831398-2733-4cf8-bd70-e0b75e388c35" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingAndAvailableForSale_08bc112c-2a32-4d7f-b9e1-0027bcea2b2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingAndAvailableForSale"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_427ac142-922b-4632-9a94-c831ce6631cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingAndAvailableForSale_08bc112c-2a32-4d7f-b9e1-0027bcea2b2f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_a4c9ce9f-8947-4252-bb48-66cc515efc5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_17dd34bb-b763-4bdb-adbe-73dd04494b9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_a4c9ce9f-8947-4252-bb48-66cc515efc5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_afc217ca-9b1a-4804-8dbc-f7b9c4912470" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_a4c9ce9f-8947-4252-bb48-66cc515efc5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_afc217ca-9b1a-4804-8dbc-f7b9c4912470" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_afc217ca-9b1a-4804-8dbc-f7b9c4912470_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_afc217ca-9b1a-4804-8dbc-f7b9c4912470" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_afc217ca-9b1a-4804-8dbc-f7b9c4912470_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f84cdff2-bf3b-4c9f-b730-3b76d4c0c88b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_afc217ca-9b1a-4804-8dbc-f7b9c4912470" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f84cdff2-bf3b-4c9f-b730-3b76d4c0c88b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_fa12d383-198b-4aa6-a0d2-1e7e3459bf86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f84cdff2-bf3b-4c9f-b730-3b76d4c0c88b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_fa12d383-198b-4aa6-a0d2-1e7e3459bf86" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_7a6eac6b-d405-4318-bf7b-ea4102c85b53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f84cdff2-bf3b-4c9f-b730-3b76d4c0c88b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_7a6eac6b-d405-4318-bf7b-ea4102c85b53" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_18c37aa7-71e3-436b-8d01-0e6ab2f22bff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f84cdff2-bf3b-4c9f-b730-3b76d4c0c88b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_18c37aa7-71e3-436b-8d01-0e6ab2f22bff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_27d8aaf8-efb0-4e71-944e-17eca4aeeb69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f84cdff2-bf3b-4c9f-b730-3b76d4c0c88b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_27d8aaf8-efb0-4e71-944e-17eca4aeeb69" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_6a4edf14-bac5-49a8-9238-d20765eb2c46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f84cdff2-bf3b-4c9f-b730-3b76d4c0c88b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_6a4edf14-bac5-49a8-9238-d20765eb2c46" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_70862cba-9100-4f48-bf99-438e9b3106dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f84cdff2-bf3b-4c9f-b730-3b76d4c0c88b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_70862cba-9100-4f48-bf99-438e9b3106dd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember_ed5341f5-8915-4434-9e19-0363304a6c56" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f84cdff2-bf3b-4c9f-b730-3b76d4c0c88b" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember_ed5341f5-8915-4434-9e19-0363304a6c56" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_361b0a4e-75c2-4ca7-9626-2a6e09a37a83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f84cdff2-bf3b-4c9f-b730-3b76d4c0c88b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_361b0a4e-75c2-4ca7-9626-2a6e09a37a83" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_e63a7a08-fd5b-4dbb-8ea2-b7a1c1873f40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_f84cdff2-bf3b-4c9f-b730-3b76d4c0c88b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_e63a7a08-fd5b-4dbb-8ea2-b7a1c1873f40" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofRealizedGainandLossandInvestmentsinUnrealizedLossPositionDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#InvestmentsScheduleofRealizedGainandLossandInvestmentsinUnrealizedLossPositionDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleofRealizedGainandLossandInvestmentsinUnrealizedLossPositionDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i90b6b99aacfd4ec7bd2685c8b5fd567b_InvestmentsScheduleofRealizedGainandLossandInvestmentsinUnrealizedLossPositionDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_acbd5594-3ed0-45db-a7d8-dded23293b38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossAbstract_8879c3c2-6959-4311-aa62-4ef55c4ed88c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_acbd5594-3ed0-45db-a7d8-dded23293b38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossAbstract_8879c3c2-6959-4311-aa62-4ef55c4ed88c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months_da26b825-4a11-458e-9500-1d1d51fb1b2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossAbstract_8879c3c2-6959-4311-aa62-4ef55c4ed88c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months_da26b825-4a11-458e-9500-1d1d51fb1b2e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger_7318c590-7b3d-498c-bbf1-f46cf5a9a15f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossAbstract_8879c3c2-6959-4311-aa62-4ef55c4ed88c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger_7318c590-7b3d-498c-bbf1-f46cf5a9a15f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition_62552d61-262c-4ecd-8bd9-6d0759542c66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossAbstract_8879c3c2-6959-4311-aa62-4ef55c4ed88c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition_62552d61-262c-4ecd-8bd9-6d0759542c66" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLossAbstract_e7dfd60e-22c6-4b36-8076-1a50ab9bc694" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLossAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_acbd5594-3ed0-45db-a7d8-dded23293b38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLossAbstract_e7dfd60e-22c6-4b36-8076-1a50ab9bc694" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss_8fc4592b-15a3-49f5-84ea-4ae119542487" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLossAbstract_e7dfd60e-22c6-4b36-8076-1a50ab9bc694" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss_8fc4592b-15a3-49f5-84ea-4ae119542487" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss_1cd9db0e-a1d4-4001-979f-72a803be68df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLossAbstract_e7dfd60e-22c6-4b36-8076-1a50ab9bc694" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss_1cd9db0e-a1d4-4001-979f-72a803be68df" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss_a808bcb7-2a2a-4405-bf9c-bc95768ca33d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLossAbstract_e7dfd60e-22c6-4b36-8076-1a50ab9bc694" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss_a808bcb7-2a2a-4405-bf9c-bc95768ca33d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_51b876db-e74a-40d3-aa61-07f8a2e6da00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_acbd5594-3ed0-45db-a7d8-dded23293b38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_51b876db-e74a-40d3-aa61-07f8a2e6da00" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_6596e3b3-1ac6-431d-b17e-2ecead8660e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_51b876db-e74a-40d3-aa61-07f8a2e6da00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_6596e3b3-1ac6-431d-b17e-2ecead8660e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_6596e3b3-1ac6-431d-b17e-2ecead8660e3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_6596e3b3-1ac6-431d-b17e-2ecead8660e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_6596e3b3-1ac6-431d-b17e-2ecead8660e3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_dcf445b1-ae65-472c-b2bf-6b0068f7b9dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_6596e3b3-1ac6-431d-b17e-2ecead8660e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_dcf445b1-ae65-472c-b2bf-6b0068f7b9dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_2291213a-1b5b-4735-b159-be077d3640e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_dcf445b1-ae65-472c-b2bf-6b0068f7b9dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_2291213a-1b5b-4735-b159-be077d3640e6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_191362e5-ed53-4932-af98-2386398ff7a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_dcf445b1-ae65-472c-b2bf-6b0068f7b9dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_191362e5-ed53-4932-af98-2386398ff7a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_8f7332ff-bf7e-4c0d-b23d-10eec9e0bbe0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_dcf445b1-ae65-472c-b2bf-6b0068f7b9dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_8f7332ff-bf7e-4c0d-b23d-10eec9e0bbe0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_c6cdb883-2966-4489-ac59-06bebc043e82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_dcf445b1-ae65-472c-b2bf-6b0068f7b9dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_c6cdb883-2966-4489-ac59-06bebc043e82" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_53d099fe-8442-4309-8fcd-5354e2f39ff0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_dcf445b1-ae65-472c-b2bf-6b0068f7b9dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_53d099fe-8442-4309-8fcd-5354e2f39ff0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_ef5cc194-e384-4bc2-966f-5912edc25bf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_dcf445b1-ae65-472c-b2bf-6b0068f7b9dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_ef5cc194-e384-4bc2-966f-5912edc25bf1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember_45ab718d-5a53-4924-af96-56925c8a72db" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_dcf445b1-ae65-472c-b2bf-6b0068f7b9dc" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember_45ab718d-5a53-4924-af96-56925c8a72db" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_f3983c32-8607-4028-b89d-3bdff9601d7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_dcf445b1-ae65-472c-b2bf-6b0068f7b9dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_f3983c32-8607-4028-b89d-3bdff9601d7a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#InvestmentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i46b1f7a1f40d4821831d90b01a8ec394_InvestmentsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionNumberOfPositions_86e23584-25d9-4629-a3ec-45b56c42ae79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionNumberOfPositions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionNumberOfPositions_86e23584-25d9-4629-a3ec-45b56c42ae79" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_a124b5c8-80c0-4f38-a1c7-5c05d1e26046" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_a124b5c8-80c0-4f38-a1c7-5c05d1e26046" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityExcludingAccruedInterestAllowanceForCreditLossWriteoff_a63cb54c-6c06-457c-9341-69be89b7d70f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityExcludingAccruedInterestAllowanceForCreditLossWriteoff"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesHeldToMaturityExcludingAccruedInterestAllowanceForCreditLossWriteoff_a63cb54c-6c06-457c-9341-69be89b7d70f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_d0d2f588-9001-4557-ba03-338eb0d23363" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_d0d2f588-9001-4557-ba03-338eb0d23363" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_1e8bfc42-f149-4bf4-b617-ed9d028fc9a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_1e8bfc42-f149-4bf4-b617-ed9d028fc9a1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure_5006dbd8-478f-43fd-8094-b3e761936831" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure_5006dbd8-478f-43fd-8094-b3e761936831" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets_5eb98b0b-d152-437b-b3a9-7cf5fe1f7979" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedPercentOfNetAssets_5eb98b0b-d152-437b-b3a9-7cf5fe1f7979" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentCompanyCommittedCapital_41cda8bb-48b7-4bd3-971f-23e3a5a6a1c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentCompanyCommittedCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentCompanyCommittedCapital_41cda8bb-48b7-4bd3-971f-23e3a5a6a1c3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_InvestmentCompanyAssetLiquidationPeriod_3581df9b-7562-4555-971c-5271c955683b" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_InvestmentCompanyAssetLiquidationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_esnt_InvestmentCompanyAssetLiquidationPeriod_3581df9b-7562-4555-971c-5271c955683b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRestricted_f3425b26-228a-4b92-b077-51a26a0bbd5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRestricted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRestricted_f3425b26-228a-4b92-b077-51a26a0bbd5e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldInTrust_5d916816-f335-465e-8d20-0d8db9259721" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsHeldInTrust"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldInTrust_5d916816-f335-465e-8d20-0d8db9259721" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_AssetsonDepositUnderReinsuranceAgreements_bdec58b5-0dcf-4f9c-b90d-39f46aa7bcc2" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_AssetsonDepositUnderReinsuranceAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_esnt_AssetsonDepositUnderReinsuranceAgreements_bdec58b5-0dcf-4f9c-b90d-39f46aa7bcc2" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_AssetsOnDepositForTheBenefitOfTheSponsor_78864c9f-2cd1-419d-a4b5-8958c8a362d4" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_AssetsOnDepositForTheBenefitOfTheSponsor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_esnt_AssetsOnDepositForTheBenefitOfTheSponsor_78864c9f-2cd1-419d-a4b5-8958c8a362d4" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_d7ed7eb2-f809-429e-8ee9-f003c6f69a61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e913f596-197f-40e7-9cba-4d12bfd44dc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_d7ed7eb2-f809-429e-8ee9-f003c6f69a61" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_a01a271e-cba8-46e9-a54d-0cd4c9e05828" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_d7ed7eb2-f809-429e-8ee9-f003c6f69a61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_a01a271e-cba8-46e9-a54d-0cd4c9e05828" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_a01a271e-cba8-46e9-a54d-0cd4c9e05828_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_a01a271e-cba8-46e9-a54d-0cd4c9e05828" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_a01a271e-cba8-46e9-a54d-0cd4c9e05828_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_0474fa6f-942d-4778-98f8-bcb82954715a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_a01a271e-cba8-46e9-a54d-0cd4c9e05828" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_0474fa6f-942d-4778-98f8-bcb82954715a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_SecuritiesMember_de218946-da4b-4abe-b9b9-26a7ac8c3232" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_SecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_0474fa6f-942d-4778-98f8-bcb82954715a" xlink:to="loc_esnt_SecuritiesMember_de218946-da4b-4abe-b9b9-26a7ac8c3232" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_b1d8dda0-ab9a-40fa-96e0-4fcec8e735a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_d7ed7eb2-f809-429e-8ee9-f003c6f69a61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_b1d8dda0-ab9a-40fa-96e0-4fcec8e735a4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_b1d8dda0-ab9a-40fa-96e0-4fcec8e735a4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_b1d8dda0-ab9a-40fa-96e0-4fcec8e735a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_b1d8dda0-ab9a-40fa-96e0-4fcec8e735a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_bdad85f9-2e56-449e-aa58-e1df910db159" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_b1d8dda0-ab9a-40fa-96e0-4fcec8e735a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_bdad85f9-2e56-449e-aa58-e1df910db159" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditConcentrationRiskMember_8defe51b-c74e-42b7-aae0-4c1f8a2bc9fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditConcentrationRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_bdad85f9-2e56-449e-aa58-e1df910db159" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditConcentrationRiskMember_8defe51b-c74e-42b7-aae0-4c1f8a2bc9fc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_980bc657-d554-4ee8-a888-f86452fbb968" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_d7ed7eb2-f809-429e-8ee9-f003c6f69a61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_980bc657-d554-4ee8-a888-f86452fbb968" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_980bc657-d554-4ee8-a888-f86452fbb968_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_980bc657-d554-4ee8-a888-f86452fbb968" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_980bc657-d554-4ee8-a888-f86452fbb968_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_8a9bea82-969b-41b1-b7c5-f5fcf227a3eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_980bc657-d554-4ee8-a888-f86452fbb968" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_8a9bea82-969b-41b1-b7c5-f5fcf227a3eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalInvestmentGradeMember_bd48d711-b433-42da-bb5e-c6da7c07d049" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InternalInvestmentGradeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_8a9bea82-969b-41b1-b7c5-f5fcf227a3eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalInvestmentGradeMember_bd48d711-b433-42da-bb5e-c6da7c07d049" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_c6c68d39-9dab-4a95-baec-8a89fc99e41e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_d7ed7eb2-f809-429e-8ee9-f003c6f69a61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_c6c68d39-9dab-4a95-baec-8a89fc99e41e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_c6c68d39-9dab-4a95-baec-8a89fc99e41e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_c6c68d39-9dab-4a95-baec-8a89fc99e41e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_c6c68d39-9dab-4a95-baec-8a89fc99e41e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_e8d1d1f1-dcb5-4a2a-85d2-9cbb47b3380f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_c6c68d39-9dab-4a95-baec-8a89fc99e41e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_e8d1d1f1-dcb5-4a2a-85d2-9cbb47b3380f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_LimitedPartnershipInvestmentMember_b6a60b48-13a1-46f0-b576-b106856774c4" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_LimitedPartnershipInvestmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_e8d1d1f1-dcb5-4a2a-85d2-9cbb47b3380f" xlink:to="loc_esnt_LimitedPartnershipInvestmentMember_b6a60b48-13a1-46f0-b576-b106856774c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_805c64fd-2f7e-4259-9516-f55c98878f64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RestatementAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_d7ed7eb2-f809-429e-8ee9-f003c6f69a61" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_805c64fd-2f7e-4259-9516-f55c98878f64" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_805c64fd-2f7e-4259-9516-f55c98878f64_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RestatementDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_805c64fd-2f7e-4259-9516-f55c98878f64" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_805c64fd-2f7e-4259-9516-f55c98878f64_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_4a649cd5-50a8-4109-9ae6-d9d6796f0077" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RestatementDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_805c64fd-2f7e-4259-9516-f55c98878f64" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_4a649cd5-50a8-4109-9ae6-d9d6796f0077" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RevisionOfPriorPeriodErrorCorrectionAdjustmentMember_0527a8e4-637c-4d2e-9ea5-9852de118fff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RevisionOfPriorPeriodErrorCorrectionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_4a649cd5-50a8-4109-9ae6-d9d6796f0077" xlink:to="loc_srt_RevisionOfPriorPeriodErrorCorrectionAdjustmentMember_0527a8e4-637c-4d2e-9ea5-9852de118fff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a761b3bf-f19d-400d-b4f9-46b178cb3d76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_d7ed7eb2-f809-429e-8ee9-f003c6f69a61" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a761b3bf-f19d-400d-b4f9-46b178cb3d76" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_a761b3bf-f19d-400d-b4f9-46b178cb3d76_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a761b3bf-f19d-400d-b4f9-46b178cb3d76" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_a761b3bf-f19d-400d-b4f9-46b178cb3d76_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_a44a6262-6eff-442c-8249-b02e633ad2aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a761b3bf-f19d-400d-b4f9-46b178cb3d76" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_a44a6262-6eff-442c-8249-b02e633ad2aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_61a22daf-379b-45a4-a959-1a860704f409" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_a44a6262-6eff-442c-8249-b02e633ad2aa" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_61a22daf-379b-45a4-a959-1a860704f409" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_f4c0fbad-1d45-450e-a084-2f24d354d305" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_a44a6262-6eff-442c-8249-b02e633ad2aa" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_f4c0fbad-1d45-450e-a084-2f24d354d305" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_55f71883-9821-4419-8194-71ee0fc2f371" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_d7ed7eb2-f809-429e-8ee9-f003c6f69a61" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_55f71883-9821-4419-8194-71ee0fc2f371" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_55f71883-9821-4419-8194-71ee0fc2f371_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_55f71883-9821-4419-8194-71ee0fc2f371" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_55f71883-9821-4419-8194-71ee0fc2f371_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_138458df-f817-4486-83b0-c18d3cfd0dbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_55f71883-9821-4419-8194-71ee0fc2f371" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_138458df-f817-4486-83b0-c18d3cfd0dbb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember_f9cee76d-3bb2-4010-8713-7fadcdac76ca" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_138458df-f817-4486-83b0-c18d3cfd0dbb" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember_f9cee76d-3bb2-4010-8713-7fadcdac76ca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_cab073af-a873-4e7b-b3d2-6e172c4c1508" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_138458df-f817-4486-83b0-c18d3cfd0dbb" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_cab073af-a873-4e7b-b3d2-6e172c4c1508" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ibf9a8bacf445477c9e255e7190ba517d_InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_08a5dc77-3fa8-4ae9-aaee-993423bfd00a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossInvestmentIncomeOperating_0830814f-5286-4054-a5a9-4fdbd6d11330" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GrossInvestmentIncomeOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_08a5dc77-3fa8-4ae9-aaee-993423bfd00a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossInvestmentIncomeOperating_0830814f-5286-4054-a5a9-4fdbd6d11330" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense_caf186e2-043b-4bf1-be53-b64f1fd2c74a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_08a5dc77-3fa8-4ae9-aaee-993423bfd00a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense_caf186e2-043b-4bf1-be53-b64f1fd2c74a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_f0048bfc-631c-4de8-9601-df4d3c1e1fea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_08a5dc77-3fa8-4ae9-aaee-993423bfd00a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_f0048bfc-631c-4de8-9601-df4d3c1e1fea" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_a0a35207-3649-4a96-8dfc-4d09d9c4ef65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_08a5dc77-3fa8-4ae9-aaee-993423bfd00a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_a0a35207-3649-4a96-8dfc-4d09d9c4ef65" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_8fb0965f-de15-43a4-a3f7-98b3f3136fbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_a0a35207-3649-4a96-8dfc-4d09d9c4ef65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_8fb0965f-de15-43a4-a3f7-98b3f3136fbd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_8fb0965f-de15-43a4-a3f7-98b3f3136fbd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_8fb0965f-de15-43a4-a3f7-98b3f3136fbd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_8fb0965f-de15-43a4-a3f7-98b3f3136fbd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_f37405fc-b8c8-4d6d-b5ad-7b2738edab86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_8fb0965f-de15-43a4-a3f7-98b3f3136fbd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_f37405fc-b8c8-4d6d-b5ad-7b2738edab86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_92e71f00-dcbe-4434-a52f-1d42185f7ca7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_f37405fc-b8c8-4d6d-b5ad-7b2738edab86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_92e71f00-dcbe-4434-a52f-1d42185f7ca7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_305e42c6-3d58-49dd-90b9-a7f31c52c8a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_f37405fc-b8c8-4d6d-b5ad-7b2738edab86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_305e42c6-3d58-49dd-90b9-a7f31c52c8a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/AccountsReceivableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#AccountsReceivableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/AccountsReceivableDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i867b8838f7c344c7945e4efd85cae1e2_AccountsReceivableDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_b8bee9ad-189a-422d-b0df-ce0698e3fb0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_fad9d1bf-b962-4d90-8789-52c490ec7c33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_b8bee9ad-189a-422d-b0df-ce0698e3fb0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_fad9d1bf-b962-4d90-8789-52c490ec7c33" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableGross_9167879f-0be8-495a-97fb-dbbc841af1e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_fad9d1bf-b962-4d90-8789-52c490ec7c33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableGross_9167879f-0be8-495a-97fb-dbbc841af1e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherReceivables_82d48415-94ef-495f-a6f5-f05108a6eba7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_fad9d1bf-b962-4d90-8789-52c490ec7c33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherReceivables_82d48415-94ef-495f-a6f5-f05108a6eba7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGross_fb88de60-14ca-4636-a472-8f7c3a0711c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_fad9d1bf-b962-4d90-8789-52c490ec7c33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGross_fb88de60-14ca-4636-a472-8f7c3a0711c9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable_7bf50232-0f96-4582-9a53-f9b799955c4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_fad9d1bf-b962-4d90-8789-52c490ec7c33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable_7bf50232-0f96-4582-9a53-f9b799955c4e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet_2482c31a-0d22-42fc-b8b0-a65294054d36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract_fad9d1bf-b962-4d90-8789-52c490ec7c33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet_2482c31a-0d22-42fc-b8b0-a65294054d36" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForWriteoffOfTradeAccountsReceivable_4c1f7bc1-64c9-411b-b7fe-a0e7b865ced6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForWriteoffOfTradeAccountsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_b8bee9ad-189a-422d-b0df-ce0698e3fb0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForWriteoffOfTradeAccountsReceivable_4c1f7bc1-64c9-411b-b7fe-a0e7b865ced6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_11905c24-e3bc-475c-a84c-11e12d757c0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_b8bee9ad-189a-422d-b0df-ce0698e3fb0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_11905c24-e3bc-475c-a84c-11e12d757c0d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_b495b6b7-f00b-40fa-9bc8-715707f717ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_b8bee9ad-189a-422d-b0df-ce0698e3fb0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_b495b6b7-f00b-40fa-9bc8-715707f717ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_ef25cd47-53a5-47da-9c73-07dd71104a84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_b495b6b7-f00b-40fa-9bc8-715707f717ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_ef25cd47-53a5-47da-9c73-07dd71104a84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_ef25cd47-53a5-47da-9c73-07dd71104a84_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_ef25cd47-53a5-47da-9c73-07dd71104a84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_ef25cd47-53a5-47da-9c73-07dd71104a84_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_827bc3f1-ec4a-4521-bd24-92be2b96c948" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_ef25cd47-53a5-47da-9c73-07dd71104a84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_827bc3f1-ec4a-4521-bd24-92be2b96c948" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableMember_ccadeec9-5198-4cfb-ae92-e57ccd54a0eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_827bc3f1-ec4a-4521-bd24-92be2b96c948" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableMember_ccadeec9-5198-4cfb-ae92-e57ccd54a0eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceQuotaShareReinsuranceDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReinsuranceQuotaShareReinsuranceDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceQuotaShareReinsuranceDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib2a9da111fd243d4aefa66799c00c0bf_ReinsuranceQuotaShareReinsuranceDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_cf7939ae-e318-4944-8832-27ffec484850" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_cf7939ae-e318-4944-8832-27ffec484850" xlink:to="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnAllOtherEligiblePolicies_09e6e42c-c14a-42b9-aa4b-a2572794c1c6" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnAllOtherEligiblePolicies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnAllOtherEligiblePolicies_09e6e42c-c14a-42b9-aa4b-a2572794c1c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedCedingCommissionPercent_7019d252-e240-48fb-8915-9c182a431653" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedCedingCommissionPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedCedingCommissionPercent_7019d252-e240-48fb-8915-9c182a431653" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceProfitCommissionsMaximum_240c6e53-ad62-441a-94df-b9ca0a33bc5d" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceProfitCommissionsMaximum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceProfitCommissionsMaximum_240c6e53-ad62-441a-94df-b9ca0a33bc5d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnEligibleSinglePremiumPolicies_7770ed4e-d8bb-44a6-afff-2c8f8c783b1f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnEligibleSinglePremiumPolicies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnEligibleSinglePremiumPolicies_7770ed4e-d8bb-44a6-afff-2c8f8c783b1f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RiskInForceCeded_22030505-c3e7-4619-aa34-b5c9b60adf4e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RiskInForceCeded"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RiskInForceCeded_22030505-c3e7-4619-aa34-b5c9b60adf4e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_c5cb2319-1869-4e73-9855-d77c7672ddea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_cf7939ae-e318-4944-8832-27ffec484850" xlink:to="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_c5cb2319-1869-4e73-9855-d77c7672ddea" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis_a14e99e3-f2db-4980-8376-766fac3e17f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_c5cb2319-1869-4e73-9855-d77c7672ddea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis_a14e99e3-f2db-4980-8376-766fac3e17f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_c5cb2319-1869-4e73-9855-d77c7672ddea" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_345222eb-6bf9-400d-9e32-30c256196db7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_345222eb-6bf9-400d-9e32-30c256196db7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_QSR2019Member_e9be940e-8b67-485c-b612-6e2286174599" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_QSR2019Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_345222eb-6bf9-400d-9e32-30c256196db7" xlink:to="loc_esnt_QSR2019Member_e9be940e-8b67-485c-b612-6e2286174599" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_QSR2022Member_5598168e-baf4-4d98-8361-be83646bd239" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_QSR2022Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_345222eb-6bf9-400d-9e32-30c256196db7" xlink:to="loc_esnt_QSR2022Member_5598168e-baf4-4d98-8361-be83646bd239" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceQuotaShareReinsuranceDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReinsuranceQuotaShareReinsuranceDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceQuotaShareReinsuranceDetails_1" xlink:type="extended" id="i0d7a41872d45416d8071a9130496b2ee_ReinsuranceQuotaShareReinsuranceDetails_1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_cf7939ae-e318-4944-8832-27ffec484850" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_cf7939ae-e318-4944-8832-27ffec484850" xlink:to="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnAllOtherEligiblePolicies_09e6e42c-c14a-42b9-aa4b-a2572794c1c6" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnAllOtherEligiblePolicies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnAllOtherEligiblePolicies_09e6e42c-c14a-42b9-aa4b-a2572794c1c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedCedingCommissionPercent_7019d252-e240-48fb-8915-9c182a431653" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedCedingCommissionPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedCedingCommissionPercent_7019d252-e240-48fb-8915-9c182a431653" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceProfitCommissionsMaximum_240c6e53-ad62-441a-94df-b9ca0a33bc5d" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceProfitCommissionsMaximum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceProfitCommissionsMaximum_240c6e53-ad62-441a-94df-b9ca0a33bc5d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnEligibleSinglePremiumPolicies_7770ed4e-d8bb-44a6-afff-2c8f8c783b1f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnEligibleSinglePremiumPolicies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceCededPremiumsEarnedPercentOfRiskOnEligibleSinglePremiumPolicies_7770ed4e-d8bb-44a6-afff-2c8f8c783b1f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RiskInForceCeded_22030505-c3e7-4619-aa34-b5c9b60adf4e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RiskInForceCeded"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LifeInsuranceInForceNetAbstract_34146f86-e573-4525-be11-ee8eedd29605" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RiskInForceCeded_22030505-c3e7-4619-aa34-b5c9b60adf4e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_c5cb2319-1869-4e73-9855-d77c7672ddea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_cf7939ae-e318-4944-8832-27ffec484850" xlink:to="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_c5cb2319-1869-4e73-9855-d77c7672ddea" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_c5cb2319-1869-4e73-9855-d77c7672ddea" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_345222eb-6bf9-400d-9e32-30c256196db7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4d7f1c35-2c98-4b4c-afde-8e165f9762ec" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_345222eb-6bf9-400d-9e32-30c256196db7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_QSR2019Member_e9be940e-8b67-485c-b612-6e2286174599" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_QSR2019Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_345222eb-6bf9-400d-9e32-30c256196db7" xlink:to="loc_esnt_QSR2019Member_e9be940e-8b67-485c-b612-6e2286174599" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_QSR2022Member_5598168e-baf4-4d98-8361-be83646bd239" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_QSR2022Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_345222eb-6bf9-400d-9e32-30c256196db7" xlink:to="loc_esnt_QSR2022Member_5598168e-baf4-4d98-8361-be83646bd239" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceExcessofLossReinsuranceDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReinsuranceExcessofLossReinsuranceDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceExcessofLossReinsuranceDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i91ab7bbb7ea94a27b98084efdc6b70ed_ReinsuranceExcessofLossReinsuranceDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bbe503ba-e1fe-4b1f-9947-063ae99aeb70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_AmortizationPeriodExcessofLossPortfolio_78c34867-8eb5-4c5e-a814-f4fd5f9c15f2" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_AmortizationPeriodExcessofLossPortfolio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bbe503ba-e1fe-4b1f-9947-063ae99aeb70" xlink:to="loc_esnt_AmortizationPeriodExcessofLossPortfolio_78c34867-8eb5-4c5e-a814-f4fd5f9c15f2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceDebtIssuedToCoverInsuranceTerm_72c39495-a239-4101-a161-9ee2f410f627" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceDebtIssuedToCoverInsuranceTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bbe503ba-e1fe-4b1f-9947-063ae99aeb70" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceDebtIssuedToCoverInsuranceTerm_72c39495-a239-4101-a161-9ee2f410f627" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bbe503ba-e1fe-4b1f-9947-063ae99aeb70" xlink:to="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_38aa18bd-e92b-4ef1-9e36-883554c49d9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_38aa18bd-e92b-4ef1-9e36-883554c49d9a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_4f6596dc-0b40-4e22-a638-d555976e1df6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_38aa18bd-e92b-4ef1-9e36-883554c49d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_4f6596dc-0b40-4e22-a638-d555976e1df6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_379ad9be-bedd-4d2d-996d-05bda84e6aa0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_379ad9be-bedd-4d2d-996d-05bda84e6aa0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorReMember_899d5449-6d79-4e92-bb49-61c745f90829" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorReMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_379ad9be-bedd-4d2d-996d-05bda84e6aa0" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorReMember_899d5449-6d79-4e92-bb49-61c745f90829" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember_b16b2acd-2002-4c79-adab-47a40287768f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_379ad9be-bedd-4d2d-996d-05bda84e6aa0" xlink:to="loc_esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember_b16b2acd-2002-4c79-adab-47a40287768f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis_e4946f47-d4df-4bfe-83d9-84e79604c7ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis_e4946f47-d4df-4bfe-83d9-84e79604c7ae" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_63f84cb8-a8e1-4dc9-a1c6-248e6ff5ce73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_63f84cb8-a8e1-4dc9-a1c6-248e6ff5ce73" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_MortgageInsuranceLinkedNotesMember_edbd31d9-d92f-466f-9f80-447b462ccabd" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_MortgageInsuranceLinkedNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_63f84cb8-a8e1-4dc9-a1c6-248e6ff5ce73" xlink:to="loc_esnt_MortgageInsuranceLinkedNotesMember_edbd31d9-d92f-466f-9f80-447b462ccabd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_11eb274c-634e-4115-b09a-72395f7e5c98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_11eb274c-634e-4115-b09a-72395f7e5c98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_ddfa2455-9444-42dc-beaf-af4416d4f2d0" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_11eb274c-634e-4115-b09a-72395f7e5c98" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_ddfa2455-9444-42dc-beaf-af4416d4f2d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorReMember_8d4d518c-964e-4154-b579-14db40039185" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorReMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_11eb274c-634e-4115-b09a-72395f7e5c98" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorReMember_8d4d518c-964e-4154-b579-14db40039185" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceExcessofLossReinsuranceDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReinsuranceExcessofLossReinsuranceDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceExcessofLossReinsuranceDetails_1" xlink:type="extended" id="i3da8bcff002146aab5ba3e52553d5de3_ReinsuranceExcessofLossReinsuranceDetails_1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bbe503ba-e1fe-4b1f-9947-063ae99aeb70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_AmortizationPeriodExcessofLossPortfolio_78c34867-8eb5-4c5e-a814-f4fd5f9c15f2" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_AmortizationPeriodExcessofLossPortfolio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bbe503ba-e1fe-4b1f-9947-063ae99aeb70" xlink:to="loc_esnt_AmortizationPeriodExcessofLossPortfolio_78c34867-8eb5-4c5e-a814-f4fd5f9c15f2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceDebtIssuedToCoverInsuranceTerm_72c39495-a239-4101-a161-9ee2f410f627" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceDebtIssuedToCoverInsuranceTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bbe503ba-e1fe-4b1f-9947-063ae99aeb70" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceDebtIssuedToCoverInsuranceTerm_72c39495-a239-4101-a161-9ee2f410f627" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bbe503ba-e1fe-4b1f-9947-063ae99aeb70" xlink:to="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_38aa18bd-e92b-4ef1-9e36-883554c49d9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_b91b7984-a641-406c-9262-a6e657a56a7a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_38aa18bd-e92b-4ef1-9e36-883554c49d9a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_4f6596dc-0b40-4e22-a638-d555976e1df6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_38aa18bd-e92b-4ef1-9e36-883554c49d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_4f6596dc-0b40-4e22-a638-d555976e1df6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_379ad9be-bedd-4d2d-996d-05bda84e6aa0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_a74ba664-a7c9-42f0-a86d-70f730eb27a8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_379ad9be-bedd-4d2d-996d-05bda84e6aa0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorReMember_899d5449-6d79-4e92-bb49-61c745f90829" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorReMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_379ad9be-bedd-4d2d-996d-05bda84e6aa0" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorReMember_899d5449-6d79-4e92-bb49-61c745f90829" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember_b16b2acd-2002-4c79-adab-47a40287768f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_379ad9be-bedd-4d2d-996d-05bda84e6aa0" xlink:to="loc_esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember_b16b2acd-2002-4c79-adab-47a40287768f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_63f84cb8-a8e1-4dc9-a1c6-248e6ff5ce73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_26d90f04-e76f-45e0-95ad-b951218cfb34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_63f84cb8-a8e1-4dc9-a1c6-248e6ff5ce73" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_MortgageInsuranceLinkedNotesMember_edbd31d9-d92f-466f-9f80-447b462ccabd" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_MortgageInsuranceLinkedNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_63f84cb8-a8e1-4dc9-a1c6-248e6ff5ce73" xlink:to="loc_esnt_MortgageInsuranceLinkedNotesMember_edbd31d9-d92f-466f-9f80-447b462ccabd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_439db03b-95da-4ee7-8d38-cdf2991aba58" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_11eb274c-634e-4115-b09a-72395f7e5c98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_5af677c1-0387-4536-b96c-7a1ad55a8583" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_11eb274c-634e-4115-b09a-72395f7e5c98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_ddfa2455-9444-42dc-beaf-af4416d4f2d0" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_11eb274c-634e-4115-b09a-72395f7e5c98" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_ddfa2455-9444-42dc-beaf-af4416d4f2d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorReMember_8d4d518c-964e-4154-b579-14db40039185" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorReMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_11eb274c-634e-4115-b09a-72395f7e5c98" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorReMember_8d4d518c-964e-4154-b579-14db40039185" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsurancePremiumDetailsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReinsurancePremiumDetailsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsurancePremiumDetailsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ife24f79bc08d42538401def0e2782afd_ReinsurancePremiumDetailsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems_d7588fca-3596-44c1-95a2-023920c1575d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RiskMarginIncreaseAfterOptionalTerminationDate_94d219d6-0ca3-44e0-8a75-12a7edf3bb5b" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RiskMarginIncreaseAfterOptionalTerminationDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems_d7588fca-3596-44c1-95a2-023920c1575d" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RiskMarginIncreaseAfterOptionalTerminationDate_94d219d6-0ca3-44e0-8a75-12a7edf3bb5b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable_616d3949-1b01-4780-bb5b-1fbbcf8fe8ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems_d7588fca-3596-44c1-95a2-023920c1575d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable_616d3949-1b01-4780-bb5b-1fbbcf8fe8ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable_616d3949-1b01-4780-bb5b-1fbbcf8fe8ac" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a6f0db99-4581-452e-994e-527b6ca99335" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a6f0db99-4581-452e-994e-527b6ca99335" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member_e24a223d-faad-4abd-bb59-b2d63606f9bf" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a6f0db99-4581-452e-994e-527b6ca99335" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member_e24a223d-faad-4abd-bb59-b2d63606f9bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_PanelOfReinsurersMember_303df401-6d83-471b-ae7d-d5028ab8d826" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_PanelOfReinsurersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a6f0db99-4581-452e-994e-527b6ca99335" xlink:to="loc_esnt_PanelOfReinsurersMember_303df401-6d83-471b-ae7d-d5028ab8d826" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis_5494a3f6-8aab-4e4f-8688-d6607913bc8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable_616d3949-1b01-4780-bb5b-1fbbcf8fe8ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis_5494a3f6-8aab-4e4f-8688-d6607913bc8b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsurancePremiumDetailsDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReinsurancePremiumDetailsDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsurancePremiumDetailsDetails_1" xlink:type="extended" id="if162214a5be24817b4b5849a56ec84a0_ReinsurancePremiumDetailsDetails_1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems_d7588fca-3596-44c1-95a2-023920c1575d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RiskMarginIncreaseAfterOptionalTerminationDate_94d219d6-0ca3-44e0-8a75-12a7edf3bb5b" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RiskMarginIncreaseAfterOptionalTerminationDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems_d7588fca-3596-44c1-95a2-023920c1575d" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RiskMarginIncreaseAfterOptionalTerminationDate_94d219d6-0ca3-44e0-8a75-12a7edf3bb5b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable_616d3949-1b01-4780-bb5b-1fbbcf8fe8ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems_d7588fca-3596-44c1-95a2-023920c1575d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable_616d3949-1b01-4780-bb5b-1fbbcf8fe8ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceTable_616d3949-1b01-4780-bb5b-1fbbcf8fe8ac" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a6f0db99-4581-452e-994e-527b6ca99335" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2762e28b-c756-46ce-925c-a7c9d0c8fe99" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a6f0db99-4581-452e-994e-527b6ca99335" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member_e24a223d-faad-4abd-bb59-b2d63606f9bf" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a6f0db99-4581-452e-994e-527b6ca99335" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member_e24a223d-faad-4abd-bb59-b2d63606f9bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_PanelOfReinsurersMember_303df401-6d83-471b-ae7d-d5028ab8d826" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_PanelOfReinsurersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_a6f0db99-4581-452e-994e-527b6ca99335" xlink:to="loc_esnt_PanelOfReinsurersMember_303df401-6d83-471b-ae7d-d5028ab8d826" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceEssentGuarantysExcessofLossReinsuranceCoveragesandRetentionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReinsuranceEssentGuarantysExcessofLossReinsuranceCoveragesandRetentionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceEssentGuarantysExcessofLossReinsuranceCoveragesandRetentionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i22f63380d9844fa2ba116bb2de1546dc_ReinsuranceEssentGuarantysExcessofLossReinsuranceCoveragesandRetentionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingInsuranceInForce_6788cb23-54ad-4338-9adb-8c625fe62e3e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingInsuranceInForce"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingInsuranceInForce_6788cb23-54ad-4338-9adb-8c625fe62e3e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingRiskInForce_1040e28a-42ba-4bec-9e95-482fe7a38e45" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingRiskInForce"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingRiskInForce_1040e28a-42ba-4bec-9e95-482fe7a38e45" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingReinsuranceInForce_5887eea1-906a-443d-83bc-c459ca270362" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingReinsuranceInForce"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingReinsuranceInForce_5887eea1-906a-443d-83bc-c459ca270362" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionAmountRetainedPerLife_39cb34e0-89e5-4c7e-b05b-55bbb124757b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionAmountRetainedPerLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionAmountRetainedPerLife_39cb34e0-89e5-4c7e-b05b-55bbb124757b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_2d280efc-d438-40da-b514-67358c796ad4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:to="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_2d280efc-d438-40da-b514-67358c796ad4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis_6d348cb8-456b-4513-8586-893835d2fbe1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_2d280efc-d438-40da-b514-67358c796ad4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceContractAxis_6d348cb8-456b-4513-8586-893835d2fbe1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_2d280efc-d438-40da-b514-67358c796ad4" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20192Ltd.Member_e610a17d-d891-4cb4-ac78-63d795a52749" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20192Ltd.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20192Ltd.Member_e610a17d-d891-4cb4-ac78-63d795a52749" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member_f2a27845-608b-4c1e-98e0-0dd4f993516c" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member_f2a27845-608b-4c1e-98e0-0dd4f993516c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20191Ltd.Member_bdbaa94d-e258-49d8-9430-e70b47fc2d94" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20191Ltd.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20191Ltd.Member_bdbaa94d-e258-49d8-9430-e70b47fc2d94" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20201LtdMember_4d3810d3-985e-445b-aa42-73e3fd96be98" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20201LtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20201LtdMember_4d3810d3-985e-445b-aa42-73e3fd96be98" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20211LtdMember_13b5ea7e-c9df-46fa-8f60-bfc0fe3f980f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20211LtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20211LtdMember_13b5ea7e-c9df-46fa-8f60-bfc0fe3f980f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20212LtdMember_c5c7976b-1900-4187-a5e9-37a706e944e8" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20212LtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20212LtdMember_c5c7976b-1900-4187-a5e9-37a706e944e8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorEntitiesMember_4cb071e4-81ac-42ef-bfc1-5565c2ed945d" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorEntitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorEntitiesMember_4cb071e4-81ac-42ef-bfc1-5565c2ed945d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember_6a48a322-1a99-44a6-8b60-70c2b084b774" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember_6a48a322-1a99-44a6-8b60-70c2b084b774" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodAxis_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_2d280efc-d438-40da-b514-67358c796ad4" xlink:to="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodAxis_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b_default" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodAxis_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b" xlink:to="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a1c36d6a-b735-4ee7-8cef-6a237510c56e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodAxis_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b" xlink:to="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a1c36d6a-b735-4ee7-8cef-6a237510c56e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CoveragePeriodOneMember_91594af7-e969-48c1-a52f-994fe44b3e7e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CoveragePeriodOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a1c36d6a-b735-4ee7-8cef-6a237510c56e" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CoveragePeriodOneMember_91594af7-e969-48c1-a52f-994fe44b3e7e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodMember_a81e95bd-ed2f-4001-94b5-752cc12bf4eb" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a1c36d6a-b735-4ee7-8cef-6a237510c56e" xlink:to="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodMember_a81e95bd-ed2f-4001-94b5-752cc12bf4eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceEssentGuarantysExcessofLossReinsuranceCoveragesandRetentionsDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReinsuranceEssentGuarantysExcessofLossReinsuranceCoveragesandRetentionsDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceEssentGuarantysExcessofLossReinsuranceCoveragesandRetentionsDetails_1" xlink:type="extended" id="i3330bd692c414836935c8066eb448644_ReinsuranceEssentGuarantysExcessofLossReinsuranceCoveragesandRetentionsDetails_1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingInsuranceInForce_6788cb23-54ad-4338-9adb-8c625fe62e3e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingInsuranceInForce"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingInsuranceInForce_6788cb23-54ad-4338-9adb-8c625fe62e3e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingRiskInForce_1040e28a-42ba-4bec-9e95-482fe7a38e45" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingRiskInForce"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingRiskInForce_1040e28a-42ba-4bec-9e95-482fe7a38e45" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingReinsuranceInForce_5887eea1-906a-443d-83bc-c459ca270362" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingReinsuranceInForce"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ReinsuranceRemainingReinsuranceInForce_5887eea1-906a-443d-83bc-c459ca270362" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionAmountRetainedPerLife_39cb34e0-89e5-4c7e-b05b-55bbb124757b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionAmountRetainedPerLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRetentionAmountRetainedPerLife_39cb34e0-89e5-4c7e-b05b-55bbb124757b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_2d280efc-d438-40da-b514-67358c796ad4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentLineItems_bd9ca5f8-e690-4c71-aa23-5f6ca22d7942" xlink:to="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_2d280efc-d438-40da-b514-67358c796ad4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_2d280efc-d438-40da-b514-67358c796ad4" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_024830ac-5dc7-4989-9db9-60deb960dc40" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20192Ltd.Member_e610a17d-d891-4cb4-ac78-63d795a52749" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20192Ltd.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20192Ltd.Member_e610a17d-d891-4cb4-ac78-63d795a52749" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member_f2a27845-608b-4c1e-98e0-0dd4f993516c" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member_f2a27845-608b-4c1e-98e0-0dd4f993516c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20191Ltd.Member_bdbaa94d-e258-49d8-9430-e70b47fc2d94" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20191Ltd.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20191Ltd.Member_bdbaa94d-e258-49d8-9430-e70b47fc2d94" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20201LtdMember_4d3810d3-985e-445b-aa42-73e3fd96be98" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20201LtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20201LtdMember_4d3810d3-985e-445b-aa42-73e3fd96be98" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20211LtdMember_13b5ea7e-c9df-46fa-8f60-bfc0fe3f980f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20211LtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20211LtdMember_13b5ea7e-c9df-46fa-8f60-bfc0fe3f980f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20212LtdMember_c5c7976b-1900-4187-a5e9-37a706e944e8" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20212LtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20212LtdMember_c5c7976b-1900-4187-a5e9-37a706e944e8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorEntitiesMember_4cb071e4-81ac-42ef-bfc1-5565c2ed945d" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorEntitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorEntitiesMember_4cb071e4-81ac-42ef-bfc1-5565c2ed945d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember_6a48a322-1a99-44a6-8b60-70c2b084b774" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_290c8a1c-b567-494a-a23e-4e19a85c5e21" xlink:to="loc_esnt_OtherReinsuranceMember_6a48a322-1a99-44a6-8b60-70c2b084b774" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodAxis_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentTable_2d280efc-d438-40da-b514-67358c796ad4" xlink:to="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodAxis_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b_default" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodAxis_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b" xlink:to="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a1c36d6a-b735-4ee7-8cef-6a237510c56e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodAxis_a5391379-a6c4-4e88-ab83-4668f4362e9b" xlink:to="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a1c36d6a-b735-4ee7-8cef-6a237510c56e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CoveragePeriodOneMember_91594af7-e969-48c1-a52f-994fe44b3e7e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CoveragePeriodOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a1c36d6a-b735-4ee7-8cef-6a237510c56e" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CoveragePeriodOneMember_91594af7-e969-48c1-a52f-994fe44b3e7e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodMember_a81e95bd-ed2f-4001-94b5-752cc12bf4eb" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodDomain_a1c36d6a-b735-4ee7-8cef-6a237510c56e" xlink:to="loc_esnt_InsuranceWrittenPeriodMember_a81e95bd-ed2f-4001-94b5-752cc12bf4eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceSummaryofTotalAssetsandMaximumExposureLossDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReinsuranceSummaryofTotalAssetsandMaximumExposureLossDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReinsuranceSummaryofTotalAssetsandMaximumExposureLossDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i482ca8a4e55f4cb089a48bda4a2c0fbd_ReinsuranceSummaryofTotalAssetsandMaximumExposureLossDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_5923fc13-9669-4872-afa4-b51633a0da6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_a370ac60-8f02-4c16-b2cf-80138df77567" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_5923fc13-9669-4872-afa4-b51633a0da6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_a370ac60-8f02-4c16-b2cf-80138df77567" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VariableInterestEntityReportingEntityInvolvementMaximumLossExposureAmountOnTheBalanceSheet_ee49e1dd-0c55-4e0f-b3eb-b1ae9af4d06b" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VariableInterestEntityReportingEntityInvolvementMaximumLossExposureAmountOnTheBalanceSheet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_5923fc13-9669-4872-afa4-b51633a0da6f" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VariableInterestEntityReportingEntityInvolvementMaximumLossExposureAmountOnTheBalanceSheet_ee49e1dd-0c55-4e0f-b3eb-b1ae9af4d06b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VariableInterestEntityReportingEntityInvolvementMaximumLossExposureAmountOffTheBalanceSheet_3a65e085-1311-4606-b149-1c9435c52547" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VariableInterestEntityReportingEntityInvolvementMaximumLossExposureAmountOffTheBalanceSheet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_5923fc13-9669-4872-afa4-b51633a0da6f" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VariableInterestEntityReportingEntityInvolvementMaximumLossExposureAmountOffTheBalanceSheet_3a65e085-1311-4606-b149-1c9435c52547" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VariableInterestEntityReportingEntityInvolvementMaximumLossGainExposureAmount_e54464ee-6642-411e-8618-6054224fa04a" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VariableInterestEntityReportingEntityInvolvementMaximumLossGainExposureAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_5923fc13-9669-4872-afa4-b51633a0da6f" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VariableInterestEntityReportingEntityInvolvementMaximumLossGainExposureAmount_e54464ee-6642-411e-8618-6054224fa04a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_2effd32d-85d8-422c-8c05-42ad1d650b3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_5923fc13-9669-4872-afa4-b51633a0da6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_2effd32d-85d8-422c-8c05-42ad1d650b3a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_f7277e57-5e51-4999-aa33-41ca752eb3a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_2effd32d-85d8-422c-8c05-42ad1d650b3a" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_f7277e57-5e51-4999-aa33-41ca752eb3a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f7277e57-5e51-4999-aa33-41ca752eb3a2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_f7277e57-5e51-4999-aa33-41ca752eb3a2" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f7277e57-5e51-4999-aa33-41ca752eb3a2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6eb91849-fed9-4eb1-90b7-75322e919870" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_f7277e57-5e51-4999-aa33-41ca752eb3a2" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6eb91849-fed9-4eb1-90b7-75322e919870" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member_86ab2376-958b-443c-9f4b-669a0a0d0f8b" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6eb91849-fed9-4eb1-90b7-75322e919870" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20181Ltd.Member_86ab2376-958b-443c-9f4b-669a0a0d0f8b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20191Ltd.Member_f53eba47-4316-435c-8c66-9f70dd3a9f69" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20191Ltd.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6eb91849-fed9-4eb1-90b7-75322e919870" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20191Ltd.Member_f53eba47-4316-435c-8c66-9f70dd3a9f69" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20192Member_78f350d0-539e-476f-969a-9dfced9db7be" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20192Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6eb91849-fed9-4eb1-90b7-75322e919870" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20192Member_78f350d0-539e-476f-969a-9dfced9db7be" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20201LtdMember_e3b2989c-5687-4294-8d28-b8dc413774e6" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20201LtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6eb91849-fed9-4eb1-90b7-75322e919870" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20201LtdMember_e3b2989c-5687-4294-8d28-b8dc413774e6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20211LtdMember_d6f57998-0cb5-401b-af76-9ad2b440dcdc" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20211LtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6eb91849-fed9-4eb1-90b7-75322e919870" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20211LtdMember_d6f57998-0cb5-401b-af76-9ad2b440dcdc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20212LtdMember_8c62ab58-ed74-4555-a554-a040f626a47e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20212LtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6eb91849-fed9-4eb1-90b7-75322e919870" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20212LtdMember_8c62ab58-ed74-4555-a554-a040f626a47e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20221LtdMember_1f43b84b-f581-4643-b2e1-716c516421bc" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RadnorRe20221LtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6eb91849-fed9-4eb1-90b7-75322e919870" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RadnorRe20221LtdMember_1f43b84b-f581-4643-b2e1-716c516421bc" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_758a5047-f1b8-4900-a317-6b3ef2350d15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_2effd32d-85d8-422c-8c05-42ad1d650b3a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_758a5047-f1b8-4900-a317-6b3ef2350d15" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_758a5047-f1b8-4900-a317-6b3ef2350d15_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_758a5047-f1b8-4900-a317-6b3ef2350d15" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_758a5047-f1b8-4900-a317-6b3ef2350d15_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d85ab47a-bfc0-4da4-89c3-cfaf9d61d6f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_758a5047-f1b8-4900-a317-6b3ef2350d15" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d85ab47a-bfc0-4da4-89c3-cfaf9d61d6f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_8e03de4d-2fc9-4359-8537-684fe83d1297" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d85ab47a-bfc0-4da4-89c3-cfaf9d61d6f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_8e03de4d-2fc9-4359-8537-684fe83d1297" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ibda741b054c74faf912afbbb453b9f90_ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_ffa8189f-b83d-4bd6-abfa-a12fb349dc83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidPriorYears1_ee98aa04-3b8e-401a-92b3-4dc61878ea12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidPriorYears1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_ffa8189f-b83d-4bd6-abfa-a12fb349dc83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidPriorYears1_ee98aa04-3b8e-401a-92b3-4dc61878ea12" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalInformationForPropertyCasualtyInsuranceUnderwritersPriorYearClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense_eb9eaa63-0329-4928-9e44-7e316e827d8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SupplementalInformationForPropertyCasualtyInsuranceUnderwritersPriorYearClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_ffa8189f-b83d-4bd6-abfa-a12fb349dc83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalInformationForPropertyCasualtyInsuranceUnderwritersPriorYearClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense_eb9eaa63-0329-4928-9e44-7e316e827d8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePriorYears_52f89c4c-35f4-4a23-8109-b0b6ca4c6ec8" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePriorYears"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_ffa8189f-b83d-4bd6-abfa-a12fb349dc83" xlink:to="loc_esnt_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePriorYears_52f89c4c-35f4-4a23-8109-b0b6ca4c6ec8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RiskInForceReservePercentage_c539b383-6f08-4d07-9292-cc7ee8f084ed" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RiskInForceReservePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_ffa8189f-b83d-4bd6-abfa-a12fb349dc83" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RiskInForceReservePercentage_c539b383-6f08-4d07-9292-cc7ee8f084ed" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePeriodIncreaseDecrease_ad056317-9f84-44e6-85c6-4843f7e95a65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_ffa8189f-b83d-4bd6-abfa-a12fb349dc83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpensePeriodIncreaseDecrease_ad056317-9f84-44e6-85c6-4843f7e95a65" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RiskInForcePercentOfDefaultsCured_5f0c60b3-70a5-455d-b3fa-09a6cee8dd5b" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RiskInForcePercentOfDefaultsCured"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_ffa8189f-b83d-4bd6-abfa-a12fb349dc83" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RiskInForcePercentOfDefaultsCured_5f0c60b3-70a5-455d-b3fa-09a6cee8dd5b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense_76a66861-0ec7-488d-8fe2-46371e10304b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_ffa8189f-b83d-4bd6-abfa-a12fb349dc83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense_76a66861-0ec7-488d-8fe2-46371e10304b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_a1877bed-753b-4876-b0dd-c2b284fd85e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_ffa8189f-b83d-4bd6-abfa-a12fb349dc83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_a1877bed-753b-4876-b0dd-c2b284fd85e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis_0e2893e8-3465-4f10-9bb1-d6261a6a1165" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_a1877bed-753b-4876-b0dd-c2b284fd85e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis_0e2893e8-3465-4f10-9bb1-d6261a6a1165" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_0e2893e8-3465-4f10-9bb1-d6261a6a1165_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis_0e2893e8-3465-4f10-9bb1-d6261a6a1165" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_0e2893e8-3465-4f10-9bb1-d6261a6a1165_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_420bc2ce-3112-4bfa-85c7-d1113e946a5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemAxis_0e2893e8-3465-4f10-9bb1-d6261a6a1165" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_420bc2ce-3112-4bfa-85c7-d1113e946a5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_COVID19Member_fd481a61-d302-4c0c-901b-ebf59f8e95aa" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_COVID19Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnusualOrInfrequentItemDomain_420bc2ce-3112-4bfa-85c7-d1113e946a5b" xlink:to="loc_esnt_COVID19Member_fd481a61-d302-4c0c-901b-ebf59f8e95aa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesSummaryofIncurredLossesandAllocatedLossAdjustmentExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesSummaryofIncurredLossesandAllocatedLossAdjustmentExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesSummaryofIncurredLossesandAllocatedLossAdjustmentExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2259466331c943abad3a1d9528ddf39d_ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesSummaryofIncurredLossesandAllocatedLossAdjustmentExpenseDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_fe853b52-21d4-42cc-ae89-6c55d584434b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsIncurredClaimsAndAllocatedClaimAdjustmentExpenseNet_53b68cf0-554d-4d40-9a68-ba20c4ff8298" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsIncurredClaimsAndAllocatedClaimAdjustmentExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_fe853b52-21d4-42cc-ae89-6c55d584434b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsIncurredClaimsAndAllocatedClaimAdjustmentExpenseNet_53b68cf0-554d-4d40-9a68-ba20c4ff8298" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsIncurredButNotReportedIbnrClaimsLiabilityNet_cd830937-321a-4e8d-8eb6-2fefbb1688eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsIncurredButNotReportedIbnrClaimsLiabilityNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_fe853b52-21d4-42cc-ae89-6c55d584434b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsIncurredButNotReportedIbnrClaimsLiabilityNet_cd830937-321a-4e8d-8eb6-2fefbb1688eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsNumberOfReportedClaims_ae17e2a0-d956-40ae-9a82-9fc7e8402bbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsNumberOfReportedClaims"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_fe853b52-21d4-42cc-ae89-6c55d584434b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsNumberOfReportedClaims_ae17e2a0-d956-40ae-9a82-9fc7e8402bbb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsCumulativePaidClaimsAndAllocatedClaimAdjustmentExpenseNet_05c2cedc-1ed9-4bd3-8bd5-696cd1cc7723" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsCumulativePaidClaimsAndAllocatedClaimAdjustmentExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_fe853b52-21d4-42cc-ae89-6c55d584434b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsCumulativePaidClaimsAndAllocatedClaimAdjustmentExpenseNet_05c2cedc-1ed9-4bd3-8bd5-696cd1cc7723" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndAllocatedClaimAdjustmentExpenseNetNotSeparatelyPresented_2e15ee79-3ddb-49cc-8e9c-994fa1645e68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndAllocatedClaimAdjustmentExpenseNetNotSeparatelyPresented"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_fe853b52-21d4-42cc-ae89-6c55d584434b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndAllocatedClaimAdjustmentExpenseNetNotSeparatelyPresented_2e15ee79-3ddb-49cc-8e9c-994fa1645e68" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNet_fb8b467e-855c-4332-8ded-b615ae91846f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_fe853b52-21d4-42cc-ae89-6c55d584434b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNet_fb8b467e-855c-4332-8ded-b615ae91846f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverableForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustments_1abd0a18-419f-433e-ae2c-d80681b60869" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverableForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_fe853b52-21d4-42cc-ae89-6c55d584434b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverableForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustments_1abd0a18-419f-433e-ae2c-d80681b60869" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense_4db0c07b-696c-4418-8fff-519327057595" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_fe853b52-21d4-42cc-ae89-6c55d584434b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense_4db0c07b-696c-4418-8fff-519327057595" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_3bebc92b-7de0-4a38-87c9-c82a90d4e08b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_fe853b52-21d4-42cc-ae89-6c55d584434b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_3bebc92b-7de0-4a38-87c9-c82a90d4e08b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearAxis_aed022cd-1ee0-4543-ab65-13bc97875cde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_3bebc92b-7de0-4a38-87c9-c82a90d4e08b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearAxis_aed022cd-1ee0-4543-ab65-13bc97875cde" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_aed022cd-1ee0-4543-ab65-13bc97875cde_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearAxis_aed022cd-1ee0-4543-ab65-13bc97875cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_aed022cd-1ee0-4543-ab65-13bc97875cde_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearAxis_aed022cd-1ee0-4543-ab65-13bc97875cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2013Member_5ce35dde-f3be-4843-ba67-61369284b928" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2013Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2013Member_5ce35dde-f3be-4843-ba67-61369284b928" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2014Member_2edeca72-d725-42bd-8d0d-7375af5457f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2014Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2014Member_2edeca72-d725-42bd-8d0d-7375af5457f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2015Member_73e187bd-3f76-4707-bf13-81d8a00a5a9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2015Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2015Member_73e187bd-3f76-4707-bf13-81d8a00a5a9c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2016Member_0a33f523-82d7-4450-9993-dc14e2d53048" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2016Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2016Member_0a33f523-82d7-4450-9993-dc14e2d53048" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2017Member_ffede471-b85e-4c96-80fd-f95ad76a96a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2017Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2017Member_ffede471-b85e-4c96-80fd-f95ad76a96a5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2018Member_89228673-3139-4d2a-a6ae-7aed6cd06ca9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2018Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYear2018Member_89228673-3139-4d2a-a6ae-7aed6cd06ca9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2019Member_26175103-da43-44b6-95ea-d3757007a4ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2019Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2019Member_26175103-da43-44b6-95ea-d3757007a4ce" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2020Member_87e1639b-515b-4702-95c1-dfdb2a7f52f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2020Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2020Member_87e1639b-515b-4702-95c1-dfdb2a7f52f5" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2021Member_0276b3da-05fd-499f-b2d1-a9a6f0b00a8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2021Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2021Member_0276b3da-05fd-499f-b2d1-a9a6f0b00a8d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2022Member_763a7aee-b539-4d58-8eab-909489dea4e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2022Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsAccidentYearDomain_51039afb-c3df-4745-8faf-086b6e61e0ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortDurationInsuranceContractAccidentYear2022Member_763a7aee-b539-4d58-8eab-909489dea4e9" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_61731d91-6392-4916-805e-99f647e3f2c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_3bebc92b-7de0-4a38-87c9-c82a90d4e08b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_61731d91-6392-4916-805e-99f647e3f2c8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_61731d91-6392-4916-805e-99f647e3f2c8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_61731d91-6392-4916-805e-99f647e3f2c8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_61731d91-6392-4916-805e-99f647e3f2c8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_579d913f-a9d8-414d-8c02-950cba07a02c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_61731d91-6392-4916-805e-99f647e3f2c8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_579d913f-a9d8-414d-8c02-950cba07a02c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyInsuranceProductLineMember_8ec7acd9-a429-4eea-a6f4-1200702e14f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyInsuranceProductLineMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_579d913f-a9d8-414d-8c02-950cba07a02c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyInsuranceProductLineMember_8ec7acd9-a429-4eea-a6f4-1200702e14f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesSummaryofAverageAnnualPayoutofLossesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesSummaryofAverageAnnualPayoutofLossesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesSummaryofAverageAnnualPayoutofLossesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i65084923f8414f2d93d206149b5bacac_ReserveforLossesandLossAdjustmentExpensesSummaryofAverageAnnualPayoutofLossesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_35c18ada-58aa-4446-88d6-196ccea97cde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_35c18ada-58aa-4446-88d6-196ccea97cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearOne_101d2933-b215-4b1b-8794-37be4e820ad4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearOne"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearOne_101d2933-b215-4b1b-8794-37be4e820ad4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearTwo_a6bf9068-3c3e-4877-8b00-5213cd439e84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearTwo_a6bf9068-3c3e-4877-8b00-5213cd439e84" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearThree_86a12ebe-f57d-42b5-adb1-4357c1a7e2aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearThree_86a12ebe-f57d-42b5-adb1-4357c1a7e2aa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearFour_473b62a7-20cb-4b4f-a503-4e9649c8cfe3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearFour_473b62a7-20cb-4b4f-a503-4e9649c8cfe3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearFive_5a8af45a-7795-4e02-929d-a475039126a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearFive_5a8af45a-7795-4e02-929d-a475039126a8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearSix_6cd5e60d-4e34-4948-bf5b-160713e3a222" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearSix"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearSix_6cd5e60d-4e34-4948-bf5b-160713e3a222" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearSeven_8d5d0839-9d12-4423-9c25-95c8e8e6e217" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearSeven"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearSeven_8d5d0839-9d12-4423-9c25-95c8e8e6e217" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearEight_27197a1d-0287-4670-9f8c-c9669f071670" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearEight"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearEight_27197a1d-0287-4670-9f8c-c9669f071670" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearNine_bb7f4969-2d24-4081-bd62-62497388ec6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearNine"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearNine_bb7f4969-2d24-4081-bd62-62497388ec6b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearTen_58c7d0fb-52f5-4535-bcca-13d55e2db37a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearTen"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RollForwardInLiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAbstract_e50d664a-0718-4ffd-afba-e22202fa1794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortdurationInsuranceContractsHistoricalClaimsDurationYearTen_58c7d0fb-52f5-4535-bcca-13d55e2db37a" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_b7154281-cd63-4045-8135-a7e49731feeb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseLineItems_35c18ada-58aa-4446-88d6-196ccea97cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_b7154281-cd63-4045-8135-a7e49731feeb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_9a8209b0-3a50-4166-9c0e-200fc57c4ba9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseTable_b7154281-cd63-4045-8135-a7e49731feeb" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_9a8209b0-3a50-4166-9c0e-200fc57c4ba9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_9a8209b0-3a50-4166-9c0e-200fc57c4ba9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_9a8209b0-3a50-4166-9c0e-200fc57c4ba9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_9a8209b0-3a50-4166-9c0e-200fc57c4ba9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e5d48999-0bd8-4a12-a7fa-36de09ab2eb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_9a8209b0-3a50-4166-9c0e-200fc57c4ba9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e5d48999-0bd8-4a12-a7fa-36de09ab2eb3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyInsuranceProductLineMember_615168d5-e89b-41a4-bda3-962104a66896" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyInsuranceProductLineMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e5d48999-0bd8-4a12-a7fa-36de09ab2eb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyInsuranceProductLineMember_615168d5-e89b-41a4-bda3-962104a66896" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/DebtObligationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#DebtObligationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/DebtObligationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4fedf6313a134dab9b3be3c1fa0f22df_DebtObligationsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_6b78ea21-6bb5-4fc6-b3a5-13435a915ed5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationPeriod_39ed1d7b-027c-4e96-a1f6-9897d94ba112" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_6b78ea21-6bb5-4fc6-b3a5-13435a915ed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationPeriod_39ed1d7b-027c-4e96-a1f6-9897d94ba112" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_41a3597b-bde1-4a01-80e7-42e3dd29a85b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_6b78ea21-6bb5-4fc6-b3a5-13435a915ed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_41a3597b-bde1-4a01-80e7-42e3dd29a85b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_374bcbd2-2ab5-4ac6-a742-4cbd70e1060a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_6b78ea21-6bb5-4fc6-b3a5-13435a915ed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_374bcbd2-2ab5-4ac6-a742-4cbd70e1060a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_14490c3a-bb57-4383-aac2-eebcfa6f6b52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_6b78ea21-6bb5-4fc6-b3a5-13435a915ed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_14490c3a-bb57-4383-aac2-eebcfa6f6b52" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount_25c89262-8683-486b-8c47-e6c4911ffdde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_6b78ea21-6bb5-4fc6-b3a5-13435a915ed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount_25c89262-8683-486b-8c47-e6c4911ffdde" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeature_80b6d3d0-e61e-46a6-8d3d-95ceaaa244d7" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeature"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_6b78ea21-6bb5-4fc6-b3a5-13435a915ed5" xlink:to="loc_esnt_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeature_80b6d3d0-e61e-46a6-8d3d-95ceaaa244d7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage_1a7851e6-86e5-4c7b-98fc-acef3cfd9069" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_6b78ea21-6bb5-4fc6-b3a5-13435a915ed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage_1a7851e6-86e5-4c7b-98fc-acef3cfd9069" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_1583dabc-a815-4343-9191-2db722c0a509" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_6b78ea21-6bb5-4fc6-b3a5-13435a915ed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_1583dabc-a815-4343-9191-2db722c0a509" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_df27b455-35dd-48d6-829e-22ede3860115" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_6b78ea21-6bb5-4fc6-b3a5-13435a915ed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_df27b455-35dd-48d6-829e-22ede3860115" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_febfc4f3-1ecd-4bc0-826e-165473f85f8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_df27b455-35dd-48d6-829e-22ede3860115" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_febfc4f3-1ecd-4bc0-826e-165473f85f8d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_febfc4f3-1ecd-4bc0-826e-165473f85f8d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_febfc4f3-1ecd-4bc0-826e-165473f85f8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_febfc4f3-1ecd-4bc0-826e-165473f85f8d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_33392af8-21f5-4de3-a2ea-373f0671da9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_febfc4f3-1ecd-4bc0-826e-165473f85f8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_33392af8-21f5-4de3-a2ea-373f0671da9a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_a9098b6b-168c-4229-b874-f74fcba8061c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_33392af8-21f5-4de3-a2ea-373f0671da9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_a9098b6b-168c-4229-b874-f74fcba8061c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis_0be273df-2ba4-467c-9f6c-38d21b0e21cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_df27b455-35dd-48d6-829e-22ede3860115" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis_0be273df-2ba4-467c-9f6c-38d21b0e21cc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_0be273df-2ba4-467c-9f6c-38d21b0e21cc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis_0be273df-2ba4-467c-9f6c-38d21b0e21cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_0be273df-2ba4-467c-9f6c-38d21b0e21cc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_9fbe734c-1af4-4e80-929a-2f4de53e4ff3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis_0be273df-2ba4-467c-9f6c-38d21b0e21cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_9fbe734c-1af4-4e80-929a-2f4de53e4ff3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ExistingTermLoansMember_efe9b565-91ad-49b9-a88d-cc9306b25a22" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ExistingTermLoansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_9fbe734c-1af4-4e80-929a-2f4de53e4ff3" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ExistingTermLoansMember_efe9b565-91ad-49b9-a88d-cc9306b25a22" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_4a29c9fa-84c3-4181-b158-c03e8fd28c90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_9fbe734c-1af4-4e80-929a-2f4de53e4ff3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_4a29c9fa-84c3-4181-b158-c03e8fd28c90" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_d0ddc1b6-6d50-4e1d-88da-571423059a38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_df27b455-35dd-48d6-829e-22ede3860115" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_d0ddc1b6-6d50-4e1d-88da-571423059a38" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d0ddc1b6-6d50-4e1d-88da-571423059a38_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_d0ddc1b6-6d50-4e1d-88da-571423059a38" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_d0ddc1b6-6d50-4e1d-88da-571423059a38_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_fc1c70ad-62ec-4511-a214-fca8ad583ac0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_d0ddc1b6-6d50-4e1d-88da-571423059a38" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_fc1c70ad-62ec-4511-a214-fca8ad583ac0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentUsHoldingsIncMember_1bf00818-d3ef-46a2-821b-ea5550217fad" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentUsHoldingsIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_fc1c70ad-62ec-4511-a214-fca8ad583ac0" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentUsHoldingsIncMember_1bf00818-d3ef-46a2-821b-ea5550217fad" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ica4136ee8b54433a8e037ce95d6b4e82_CommitmentsandContingenciesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca2b0860-021b-4ab8-8306-905dca30187e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualPayments_0f4bebaf-b328-4aeb-bf05-f445a865fd64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualPayments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca2b0860-021b-4ab8-8306-905dca30187e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualPayments_0f4bebaf-b328-4aeb-bf05-f445a865fd64" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_c6b4595c-6740-46a7-98ad-d5e5daf4eb02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca2b0860-021b-4ab8-8306-905dca30187e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_c6b4595c-6740-46a7-98ad-d5e5daf4eb02" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_dda95d8b-54db-4a29-a80c-55c7bdd06bb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca2b0860-021b-4ab8-8306-905dca30187e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_dda95d8b-54db-4a29-a80c-55c7bdd06bb3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList_c81cb10f-0107-42d8-ac2b-18ecb9cea5ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca2b0860-021b-4ab8-8306-905dca30187e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList_c81cb10f-0107-42d8-ac2b-18ecb9cea5ff" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList_da766747-1bd2-4d43-9980-b48065c08956" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca2b0860-021b-4ab8-8306-905dca30187e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList_da766747-1bd2-4d43-9980-b48065c08956" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_921172ae-6cdd-4453-b0e1-cc8f17bc279c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca2b0860-021b-4ab8-8306-905dca30187e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_921172ae-6cdd-4453-b0e1-cc8f17bc279c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseCost_dd06fa94-f3b3-4353-805b-442151f4c820" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca2b0860-021b-4ab8-8306-905dca30187e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseCost_dd06fa94-f3b3-4353-805b-442151f4c820" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedNextTwelveMonths_d0a71869-c260-4c0d-b6f0-7ef9e469a8a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca2b0860-021b-4ab8-8306-905dca30187e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LessorOperatingLeasePaymentsToBeReceivedNextTwelveMonths_d0a71869-c260-4c0d-b6f0-7ef9e469a8a9" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_cbf6ce33-3b10-4b70-b105-ef9d81a45438" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca2b0860-021b-4ab8-8306-905dca30187e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_cbf6ce33-3b10-4b70-b105-ef9d81a45438" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_3ef0189d-a3ad-4c7b-bf15-786158f9dbba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_cbf6ce33-3b10-4b70-b105-ef9d81a45438" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_3ef0189d-a3ad-4c7b-bf15-786158f9dbba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_3ef0189d-a3ad-4c7b-bf15-786158f9dbba_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_3ef0189d-a3ad-4c7b-bf15-786158f9dbba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_3ef0189d-a3ad-4c7b-bf15-786158f9dbba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_98eae228-0ba3-45be-be00-af7eb0e8f786" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_3ef0189d-a3ad-4c7b-bf15-786158f9dbba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_98eae228-0ba3-45be-be00-af7eb0e8f786" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndemnificationGuaranteeMember_238b10e6-647b-49f0-a83c-07f798033696" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndemnificationGuaranteeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_98eae228-0ba3-45be-be00-af7eb0e8f786" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndemnificationGuaranteeMember_238b10e6-647b-49f0-a83c-07f798033696" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/CapitalStockNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#CapitalStockNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/CapitalStockNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i316bb3bb83974cb39b7198fd1bb9f747_CapitalStockNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_8ce0ec28-82b7-44d4-8f5b-3a6035b0234a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_8ce0ec28-82b7-44d4-8f5b-3a6035b0234a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CommonStockNumberOfVotes_6ac2264b-b825-44f3-880c-4d9e53d13fb7" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CommonStockNumberOfVotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CommonStockNumberOfVotes_6ac2264b-b825-44f3-880c-4d9e53d13fb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareholderVotingRightsOwnershipPercentageThreshold_f2b800d6-b0a3-462b-9dd2-51ed14650550" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareholderVotingRightsOwnershipPercentageThreshold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareholderVotingRightsOwnershipPercentageThreshold_f2b800d6-b0a3-462b-9dd2-51ed14650550" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_MaximumNumberOfVotesCertainShareholdersUnder95PercentShareholderProvision_4ff6f844-aca1-488c-a796-0882c7960947" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_MaximumNumberOfVotesCertainShareholdersUnder95PercentShareholderProvision"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_esnt_MaximumNumberOfVotesCertainShareholdersUnder95PercentShareholderProvision_4ff6f844-aca1-488c-a796-0882c7960947" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_MinimumNumberOfVotesOtherShareholders_badf733e-d01f-4dc9-bc0e-1a41e01d59a6" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_MinimumNumberOfVotesOtherShareholders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_esnt_MinimumNumberOfVotesOtherShareholders_badf733e-d01f-4dc9-bc0e-1a41e01d59a6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_b370b2f1-e42d-46d0-ae74-10536c0fee87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_b370b2f1-e42d-46d0-ae74-10536c0fee87" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare_2e5ac052-eced-486b-a1df-914d79a8f544" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare_2e5ac052-eced-486b-a1df-914d79a8f544" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_3f8c78b8-a8dd-42fd-b3a1-d0c0ea3dbe66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_3f8c78b8-a8dd-42fd-b3a1-d0c0ea3dbe66" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_bbdeec68-a070-4541-b306-102af112f99a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_bbdeec68-a070-4541-b306-102af112f99a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_26ae9f99-e98e-41c2-8652-deb64fd6c810" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_26ae9f99-e98e-41c2-8652-deb64fd6c810" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_6d8187b0-b360-4fa6-abaf-3b2cfed43861" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_6d8187b0-b360-4fa6-abaf-3b2cfed43861" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_7675bad6-19e4-4f84-b5ac-54affe9c27b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_7675bad6-19e4-4f84-b5ac-54affe9c27b3" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_65b84442-8b53-437b-88a8-4dcdf559f7e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_65b84442-8b53-437b-88a8-4dcdf559f7e5" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_e4212fa4-d9e2-4366-b3de-1bb72bdd5144" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_e4212fa4-d9e2-4366-b3de-1bb72bdd5144" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableTable_f595c458-5f2b-4f78-b4e7-c788fd383d34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPayableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableLineItems_9f95b28e-1fa1-43dd-9e4e-18b3c6100a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableTable_f595c458-5f2b-4f78-b4e7-c788fd383d34" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1f443126-ef40-4bfe-b4bc-6b6ce5974eaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableTable_f595c458-5f2b-4f78-b4e7-c788fd383d34" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1f443126-ef40-4bfe-b4bc-6b6ce5974eaa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_1f443126-ef40-4bfe-b4bc-6b6ce5974eaa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1f443126-ef40-4bfe-b4bc-6b6ce5974eaa" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_1f443126-ef40-4bfe-b4bc-6b6ce5974eaa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_f70325a7-241e-4136-9c6c-00e96a61e061" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1f443126-ef40-4bfe-b4bc-6b6ce5974eaa" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_f70325a7-241e-4136-9c6c-00e96a61e061" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_2f0481db-914a-400e-8568-a0571521a0e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_f70325a7-241e-4136-9c6c-00e96a61e061" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_2f0481db-914a-400e-8568-a0571521a0e1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_5fd482fb-9bf3-4308-8f5c-6f1bd0261a58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableTable_f595c458-5f2b-4f78-b4e7-c788fd383d34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_5fd482fb-9bf3-4308-8f5c-6f1bd0261a58" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_5fd482fb-9bf3-4308-8f5c-6f1bd0261a58_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_5fd482fb-9bf3-4308-8f5c-6f1bd0261a58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_5fd482fb-9bf3-4308-8f5c-6f1bd0261a58_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_33b0333d-b5c1-4a82-840e-dd1b0dfc34dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_5fd482fb-9bf3-4308-8f5c-6f1bd0261a58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_33b0333d-b5c1-4a82-840e-dd1b0dfc34dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareRepurchasePlan2021Member_d70bc4f6-c342-4cbf-bfb3-b7db898345bc" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareRepurchasePlan2021Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_33b0333d-b5c1-4a82-840e-dd1b0dfc34dd" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareRepurchasePlan2021Member_d70bc4f6-c342-4cbf-bfb3-b7db898345bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareRepurchasePlan2022Member_67af92da-76d1-4f62-8d38-524c9daf33f6" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareRepurchasePlan2022Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_33b0333d-b5c1-4a82-840e-dd1b0dfc34dd" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareRepurchasePlan2022Member_67af92da-76d1-4f62-8d38-524c9daf33f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#StockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idabb1a03f7124ec0a710ebcb20f576be_StockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_50e4e410-9d7f-44d2-9277-08de10d30e84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_50e4e410-9d7f-44d2-9277-08de10d30e84" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_7016b682-b8d4-4490-9c65-17826056a220" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_7016b682-b8d4-4490-9c65-17826056a220" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformancePeriod_e9edb8b4-ca2e-44ea-ac40-b919c5743fe4" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformancePeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformancePeriod_e9edb8b4-ca2e-44ea-ac40-b919c5743fe4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_e3a9da97-fd75-4882-95e6-a74966b794ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_e3a9da97-fd75-4882-95e6-a74966b794ef" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted_484364cc-5870-48be-9b6e-328ab0856a90" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted_484364cc-5870-48be-9b6e-328ab0856a90" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPlanModificationIncrementalCompensationCost_bd88b36e-5ca5-4b27-bfeb-6aca62511aa9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPlanModificationIncrementalCompensationCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPlanModificationIncrementalCompensationCost_bd88b36e-5ca5-4b27-bfeb-6aca62511aa9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions_43cdd038-2dcc-452b-8801-6d86f483991d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions_43cdd038-2dcc-452b-8801-6d86f483991d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_2874021a-77c1-4c38-b9d1-aad18655fd54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_2874021a-77c1-4c38-b9d1-aad18655fd54" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_56c68484-e2b6-4b43-a85e-36aed5940db3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_56c68484-e2b6-4b43-a85e-36aed5940db3" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_a8969595-ebb7-44bb-a3f8-ff6a85e1dc1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_a8969595-ebb7-44bb-a3f8-ff6a85e1dc1c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_bd397615-75e7-4e7a-ba64-dc79e05d1dab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_bd397615-75e7-4e7a-ba64-dc79e05d1dab" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_5addd761-d911-4b30-bbf1-9a8fae2786ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_5addd761-d911-4b30-bbf1-9a8fae2786ae" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bdba1f21-0e4d-4c3d-84f3-c1b2b8883746" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7d6ef817-0fa1-4751-af45-ad7a73035caa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bdba1f21-0e4d-4c3d-84f3-c1b2b8883746" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_4b1c00dd-9a01-4bd4-98e6-91986e587f7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bdba1f21-0e4d-4c3d-84f3-c1b2b8883746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_4b1c00dd-9a01-4bd4-98e6-91986e587f7d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_4b1c00dd-9a01-4bd4-98e6-91986e587f7d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_4b1c00dd-9a01-4bd4-98e6-91986e587f7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_4b1c00dd-9a01-4bd4-98e6-91986e587f7d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_0c1416db-b9d1-438d-b98d-6ba759ccd050" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_4b1c00dd-9a01-4bd4-98e6-91986e587f7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_0c1416db-b9d1-438d-b98d-6ba759ccd050" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentGroupLimited2013LongTermIncentivePlanMember_ec95185b-b55f-43e6-a6b4-023205a69f87" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentGroupLimited2013LongTermIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_0c1416db-b9d1-438d-b98d-6ba759ccd050" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentGroupLimited2013LongTermIncentivePlanMember_ec95185b-b55f-43e6-a6b4-023205a69f87" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_db20ff82-c435-4de6-b7a1-d092fc1b01bd" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bdba1f21-0e4d-4c3d-84f3-c1b2b8883746" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_db20ff82-c435-4de6-b7a1-d092fc1b01bd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_db20ff82-c435-4de6-b7a1-d092fc1b01bd_default" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_db20ff82-c435-4de6-b7a1-d092fc1b01bd" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_db20ff82-c435-4de6-b7a1-d092fc1b01bd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_c1f2e110-b78d-4026-b7db-e48013f996c4" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_db20ff82-c435-4de6-b7a1-d092fc1b01bd" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_c1f2e110-b78d-4026-b7db-e48013f996c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceMember_e6a1ea9a-80bc-4a1c-b36d-d65a88c23252" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_c1f2e110-b78d-4026-b7db-e48013f996c4" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceMember_e6a1ea9a-80bc-4a1c-b36d-d65a88c23252" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingBasedOnPerformanceMember_872dfba0-1bd6-4100-97c6-751c6c9d474a" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingBasedOnPerformanceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_c1f2e110-b78d-4026-b7db-e48013f996c4" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingBasedOnPerformanceMember_872dfba0-1bd6-4100-97c6-751c6c9d474a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved16PercentMember_24706842-043b-4845-bffc-24c0ec2d62cf" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved16PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_c1f2e110-b78d-4026-b7db-e48013f996c4" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved16PercentMember_24706842-043b-4845-bffc-24c0ec2d62cf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceAndPerformanceMember_e6009333-0361-4ffa-bd81-fc6195213a71" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceAndPerformanceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_c1f2e110-b78d-4026-b7db-e48013f996c4" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceAndPerformanceMember_e6009333-0361-4ffa-bd81-fc6195213a71" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_044a42fd-f3b6-4c2a-8941-5360ced7c335" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bdba1f21-0e4d-4c3d-84f3-c1b2b8883746" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_044a42fd-f3b6-4c2a-8941-5360ced7c335" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_044a42fd-f3b6-4c2a-8941-5360ced7c335_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_044a42fd-f3b6-4c2a-8941-5360ced7c335" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_044a42fd-f3b6-4c2a-8941-5360ced7c335_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_9a73188b-c16c-45cc-8a9e-f6f36db6f445" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_044a42fd-f3b6-4c2a-8941-5360ced7c335" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_9a73188b-c16c-45cc-8a9e-f6f36db6f445" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CertainSeniorManagementMember_944b4439-c09c-45b3-a5f4-4bcd13747551" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CertainSeniorManagementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_9a73188b-c16c-45cc-8a9e-f6f36db6f445" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CertainSeniorManagementMember_944b4439-c09c-45b3-a5f4-4bcd13747551" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EmployeeMember_c95e97bd-1ced-466a-848a-b6be26f77601" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EmployeeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_9a73188b-c16c-45cc-8a9e-f6f36db6f445" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EmployeeMember_c95e97bd-1ced-466a-848a-b6be26f77601" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_DirectorMember_012b2e9c-b2c7-4dd4-a94e-161efc57cd21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_DirectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_9a73188b-c16c-45cc-8a9e-f6f36db6f445" xlink:to="loc_srt_DirectorMember_012b2e9c-b2c7-4dd4-a94e-161efc57cd21" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CertainEmployeesMember_6ce7ec1e-8c7d-45e4-b08f-4a86fc917281" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CertainEmployeesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_9a73188b-c16c-45cc-8a9e-f6f36db6f445" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CertainEmployeesMember_6ce7ec1e-8c7d-45e4-b08f-4a86fc917281" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_a1070038-5ee0-4e4b-9cb8-fa7d1be06c37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bdba1f21-0e4d-4c3d-84f3-c1b2b8883746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_a1070038-5ee0-4e4b-9cb8-fa7d1be06c37" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a1070038-5ee0-4e4b-9cb8-fa7d1be06c37_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_a1070038-5ee0-4e4b-9cb8-fa7d1be06c37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a1070038-5ee0-4e4b-9cb8-fa7d1be06c37_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_5878b2b8-1abd-4209-b5a1-7dc7502f463d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_a1070038-5ee0-4e4b-9cb8-fa7d1be06c37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_5878b2b8-1abd-4209-b5a1-7dc7502f463d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_1e6d4ba9-10fe-4984-807e-229e95177e2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_5878b2b8-1abd-4209-b5a1-7dc7502f463d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_1e6d4ba9-10fe-4984-807e-229e95177e2d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_bfcbe12b-0a08-4324-a03b-4a34a05103c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_5878b2b8-1abd-4209-b5a1-7dc7502f463d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_bfcbe12b-0a08-4324-a03b-4a34a05103c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_a369664b-284a-4a50-99e5-3047913b21cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_5878b2b8-1abd-4209-b5a1-7dc7502f463d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_a369664b-284a-4a50-99e5-3047913b21cb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_NonvestedSharesShareUnitsOrDEUMember_a4565090-d2fe-4954-b9c0-91cc4a1c2d47" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_NonvestedSharesShareUnitsOrDEUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_5878b2b8-1abd-4209-b5a1-7dc7502f463d" xlink:to="loc_esnt_NonvestedSharesShareUnitsOrDEUMember_a4565090-d2fe-4954-b9c0-91cc4a1c2d47" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_NonvestedSharesShareUnitsMember_55d4980b-062e-4018-9d2f-f17a20ffee72" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_NonvestedSharesShareUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_5878b2b8-1abd-4209-b5a1-7dc7502f463d" xlink:to="loc_esnt_NonvestedSharesShareUnitsMember_55d4980b-062e-4018-9d2f-f17a20ffee72" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_194037b7-d02d-4963-8a0b-888cebcbd749" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bdba1f21-0e4d-4c3d-84f3-c1b2b8883746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_194037b7-d02d-4963-8a0b-888cebcbd749" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_194037b7-d02d-4963-8a0b-888cebcbd749_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_194037b7-d02d-4963-8a0b-888cebcbd749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_194037b7-d02d-4963-8a0b-888cebcbd749_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_196a3fdc-493e-4d64-bd7a-e9a5e7d045ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_194037b7-d02d-4963-8a0b-888cebcbd749" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_196a3fdc-493e-4d64-bd7a-e9a5e7d045ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_IncentiveProgramBonusAwardFiscalYearPerformanceMember_086c97b7-fd1d-4f4a-8991-18e4f746cbc8" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_IncentiveProgramBonusAwardFiscalYearPerformanceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_196a3fdc-493e-4d64-bd7a-e9a5e7d045ad" xlink:to="loc_esnt_IncentiveProgramBonusAwardFiscalYearPerformanceMember_086c97b7-fd1d-4f4a-8991-18e4f746cbc8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b574ec09-dee6-4939-87bc-7e705e86907f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bdba1f21-0e4d-4c3d-84f3-c1b2b8883746" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b574ec09-dee6-4939-87bc-7e705e86907f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_b574ec09-dee6-4939-87bc-7e705e86907f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b574ec09-dee6-4939-87bc-7e705e86907f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_b574ec09-dee6-4939-87bc-7e705e86907f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_0a4a33c2-4552-43fe-9c0b-df3016d9f57b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_b574ec09-dee6-4939-87bc-7e705e86907f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_0a4a33c2-4552-43fe-9c0b-df3016d9f57b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d82d5c3d-2d70-4184-ae65-256a9d0271ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_0a4a33c2-4552-43fe-9c0b-df3016d9f57b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d82d5c3d-2d70-4184-ae65-256a9d0271ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ff5a9bde-85dd-45bb-8443-961900bc69cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bdba1f21-0e4d-4c3d-84f3-c1b2b8883746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ff5a9bde-85dd-45bb-8443-961900bc69cc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_ff5a9bde-85dd-45bb-8443-961900bc69cc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ff5a9bde-85dd-45bb-8443-961900bc69cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_ff5a9bde-85dd-45bb-8443-961900bc69cc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_0136cb42-b67d-493d-8911-041a71661a8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ff5a9bde-85dd-45bb-8443-961900bc69cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_0136cb42-b67d-493d-8911-041a71661a8b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_6d3cd9ec-7c75-4ead-a68a-33c6c4bd718e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_0136cb42-b67d-493d-8911-041a71661a8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_6d3cd9ec-7c75-4ead-a68a-33c6c4bd718e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_2cc0a10e-4c60-4271-a506-2e1183a42ec5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bdba1f21-0e4d-4c3d-84f3-c1b2b8883746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_2cc0a10e-4c60-4271-a506-2e1183a42ec5" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_2cc0a10e-4c60-4271-a506-2e1183a42ec5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_2cc0a10e-4c60-4271-a506-2e1183a42ec5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_2cc0a10e-4c60-4271-a506-2e1183a42ec5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_836794f0-6a06-4e18-a409-81400ef87cc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_2cc0a10e-4c60-4271-a506-2e1183a42ec5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_836794f0-6a06-4e18-a409-81400ef87cc6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandFifteenSixteenSeventeenAndEighteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_788897dd-3304-47f8-b59e-b2b91439f9f0" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandFifteenSixteenSeventeenAndEighteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_836794f0-6a06-4e18-a409-81400ef87cc6" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandFifteenSixteenSeventeenAndEighteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_788897dd-3304-47f8-b59e-b2b91439f9f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_f839e8e4-d218-4b54-8003-581b8bc8c716" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bdba1f21-0e4d-4c3d-84f3-c1b2b8883746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_f839e8e4-d218-4b54-8003-581b8bc8c716" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_f839e8e4-d218-4b54-8003-581b8bc8c716_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_f839e8e4-d218-4b54-8003-581b8bc8c716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_f839e8e4-d218-4b54-8003-581b8bc8c716_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_a2736d01-18cb-416b-b779-640647b9d9ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_f839e8e4-d218-4b54-8003-581b8bc8c716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_a2736d01-18cb-416b-b779-640647b9d9ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_d37af7be-4d1e-4b3a-980b-18b1afebbcab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_a2736d01-18cb-416b-b779-640647b9d9ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_d37af7be-4d1e-4b3a-980b-18b1afebbcab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_fd41849f-73e4-4c14-9577-b65df6a11a48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_a2736d01-18cb-416b-b779-640647b9d9ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_fd41849f-73e4-4c14-9577-b65df6a11a48" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_84c673e3-1248-4e23-af5f-a65e831625ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_a2736d01-18cb-416b-b779-640647b9d9ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_84c673e3-1248-4e23-af5f-a65e831625ff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryofNonvestedPerformancebasedShareAwardsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#StockBasedCompensationSummaryofNonvestedPerformancebasedShareAwardsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryofNonvestedPerformancebasedShareAwardsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ibe8b1b5e75e6440ba6a403297a1e1567_StockBasedCompensationSummaryofNonvestedPerformancebasedShareAwardsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d775c06f-c5d0-411c-9f4b-84f37742176e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualBookValueGrowthRate_a159d0cc-93de-441f-a9ec-4be85ae029c7" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualBookValueGrowthRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d775c06f-c5d0-411c-9f4b-84f37742176e" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualBookValueGrowthRate_a159d0cc-93de-441f-a9ec-4be85ae029c7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_f296f588-0199-4121-9dbd-2969b149e933" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d775c06f-c5d0-411c-9f4b-84f37742176e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_f296f588-0199-4121-9dbd-2969b149e933" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValue_915e9072-c3d5-4d3c-b719-35ae0f54c9b9" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d775c06f-c5d0-411c-9f4b-84f37742176e" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValue_915e9072-c3d5-4d3c-b719-35ae0f54c9b9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted_bcd5d6ab-01d6-48be-9128-8650a39df327" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d775c06f-c5d0-411c-9f4b-84f37742176e" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted_bcd5d6ab-01d6-48be-9128-8650a39df327" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8033419c-3d3a-4d49-9c61-1041c8aa21c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d775c06f-c5d0-411c-9f4b-84f37742176e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8033419c-3d3a-4d49-9c61-1041c8aa21c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9bb67e7b-f752-41cd-8fe8-024a0d8e0c0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8033419c-3d3a-4d49-9c61-1041c8aa21c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9bb67e7b-f752-41cd-8fe8-024a0d8e0c0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9bb67e7b-f752-41cd-8fe8-024a0d8e0c0d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9bb67e7b-f752-41cd-8fe8-024a0d8e0c0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9bb67e7b-f752-41cd-8fe8-024a0d8e0c0d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b6077989-271c-4e05-964f-a62b69718907" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9bb67e7b-f752-41cd-8fe8-024a0d8e0c0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b6077989-271c-4e05-964f-a62b69718907" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_f34a0a10-686b-4a4c-9e02-dd1466acf5f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b6077989-271c-4e05-964f-a62b69718907" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_f34a0a10-686b-4a4c-9e02-dd1466acf5f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_9ab04ce5-dd61-40c5-92b6-d9934a2b0220" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8033419c-3d3a-4d49-9c61-1041c8aa21c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_9ab04ce5-dd61-40c5-92b6-d9934a2b0220" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_9ab04ce5-dd61-40c5-92b6-d9934a2b0220_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_9ab04ce5-dd61-40c5-92b6-d9934a2b0220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_9ab04ce5-dd61-40c5-92b6-d9934a2b0220_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_beb51772-29e1-4e76-8ff2-600988c75d5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_9ab04ce5-dd61-40c5-92b6-d9934a2b0220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_beb51772-29e1-4e76-8ff2-600988c75d5d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_f57fbf58-4822-4efc-8ca7-ba5a75c23b6c" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandTwentyPerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_beb51772-29e1-4e76-8ff2-600988c75d5d" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_f57fbf58-4822-4efc-8ca7-ba5a75c23b6c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandNineteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_356a80b9-2f64-4efd-a2ea-0f251422e8f9" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandNineteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_beb51772-29e1-4e76-8ff2-600988c75d5d" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandNineteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_356a80b9-2f64-4efd-a2ea-0f251422e8f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandEighteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_4034b0e3-7e28-404e-9e1f-37a1799f50e6" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandEighteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_beb51772-29e1-4e76-8ff2-600988c75d5d" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandEighteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_4034b0e3-7e28-404e-9e1f-37a1799f50e6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_b433758e-cc71-4063-a95c-40730bbbd0a8" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_beb51772-29e1-4e76-8ff2-600988c75d5d" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_b433758e-cc71-4063-a95c-40730bbbd0a8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fca11dd4-dccd-4f77-b494-fc70642abad1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8033419c-3d3a-4d49-9c61-1041c8aa21c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fca11dd4-dccd-4f77-b494-fc70642abad1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_fca11dd4-dccd-4f77-b494-fc70642abad1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fca11dd4-dccd-4f77-b494-fc70642abad1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_fca11dd4-dccd-4f77-b494-fc70642abad1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_3cb2bd6c-77cd-459f-8397-e271ca9140b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_fca11dd4-dccd-4f77-b494-fc70642abad1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_3cb2bd6c-77cd-459f-8397-e271ca9140b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_f2563313-1346-4781-b519-b9e54de3ec10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_3cb2bd6c-77cd-459f-8397-e271ca9140b7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_f2563313-1346-4781-b519-b9e54de3ec10" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_1fd4f34a-aa23-440f-b9a9-6d80fdc43cf6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_3cb2bd6c-77cd-459f-8397-e271ca9140b7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_1fd4f34a-aa23-440f-b9a9-6d80fdc43cf6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_242b37f9-2bd9-436b-bae7-26f87816963f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8033419c-3d3a-4d49-9c61-1041c8aa21c3" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_242b37f9-2bd9-436b-bae7-26f87816963f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_242b37f9-2bd9-436b-bae7-26f87816963f_default" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_242b37f9-2bd9-436b-bae7-26f87816963f" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_242b37f9-2bd9-436b-bae7-26f87816963f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_242b37f9-2bd9-436b-bae7-26f87816963f" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved13PercentMember_03af7b1d-3679-4686-92de-4f49847c5f50" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved13PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved13PercentMember_03af7b1d-3679-4686-92de-4f49847c5f50" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved14PercentMember_0849b9f9-080b-407e-a5f7-a3f0fb1ee6b6" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved14PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved14PercentMember_0849b9f9-080b-407e-a5f7-a3f0fb1ee6b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved15PercentMember_8083d35c-151a-4278-9ba9-62ab6498ea4a" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved15PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved15PercentMember_8083d35c-151a-4278-9ba9-62ab6498ea4a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved16PercentMember_2d8d1be6-ee67-48cd-96cd-6f7756d4a886" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved16PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved16PercentMember_2d8d1be6-ee67-48cd-96cd-6f7756d4a886" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved17PercentMember_699422d9-dae7-4bfc-a44d-423894a247cb" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved17PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved17PercentMember_699422d9-dae7-4bfc-a44d-423894a247cb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved18PercentMember_9962777c-5d7b-40c0-8832-2f810757587a" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved18PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved18PercentMember_9962777c-5d7b-40c0-8832-2f810757587a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved19PercentMember_38f36b4c-7b6e-48eb-ad76-904a6a572570" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved19PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved19PercentMember_38f36b4c-7b6e-48eb-ad76-904a6a572570" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved12PercentMember_c53bcfc8-bd4e-46c7-b692-c8a911c02345" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved12PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved12PercentMember_c53bcfc8-bd4e-46c7-b692-c8a911c02345" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved10PercentMember_8195ef00-1e9c-4c6b-b74b-b25f2f405d1a" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved10PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved10PercentMember_8195ef00-1e9c-4c6b-b74b-b25f2f405d1a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved8PercentMember_a0409b6d-615b-49f9-85c4-f7c352524ce5" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved8PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved8PercentMember_a0409b6d-615b-49f9-85c4-f7c352524ce5" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved6PercentMember_a1fae119-5675-4d6d-8d04-9893d199c69b" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved6PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved6PercentMember_a1fae119-5675-4d6d-8d04-9893d199c69b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved11PercentMember_d26249c5-d9ba-4676-af81-59c980847c29" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved11PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved11PercentMember_d26249c5-d9ba-4676-af81-59c980847c29" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved9PercentMember_9ba7fd8e-b6cc-4aff-882c-8fce8e0a1952" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved9PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved9PercentMember_9ba7fd8e-b6cc-4aff-882c-8fce8e0a1952" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved7PercentMember_f53d3c34-b799-48d5-aa52-e2f992b66d5e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved7PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved7PercentMember_f53d3c34-b799-48d5-aa52-e2f992b66d5e" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved5PercentMember_5f46a485-4c0e-4222-9e44-f420c5df85b4" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved5PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_07b9881d-b485-4000-ba0c-28ef42cba5aa" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CompoundedAnnualGrowthRateThreeYearBookValueAchieved5PercentMember_5f46a485-4c0e-4222-9e44-f420c5df85b4" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnAxis_82ab2abe-5dfd-4730-8da7-841452655f4a" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8033419c-3d3a-4d49-9c61-1041c8aa21c3" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnAxis_82ab2abe-5dfd-4730-8da7-841452655f4a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnDomain_82ab2abe-5dfd-4730-8da7-841452655f4a_default" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnAxis_82ab2abe-5dfd-4730-8da7-841452655f4a" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnDomain_82ab2abe-5dfd-4730-8da7-841452655f4a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnDomain_4e5d836e-b283-4afb-8b10-7e1e0417a24c" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnAxis_82ab2abe-5dfd-4730-8da7-841452655f4a" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnDomain_4e5d836e-b283-4afb-8b10-7e1e0417a24c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementLessThanOrEqualTo25thPercentileMember_2a33bd69-b355-4d15-bf88-966219e81416" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementLessThanOrEqualTo25thPercentileMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnDomain_4e5d836e-b283-4afb-8b10-7e1e0417a24c" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementLessThanOrEqualTo25thPercentileMember_2a33bd69-b355-4d15-bf88-966219e81416" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareBasedPaymentArrangement50thPercentileMember_229fa21a-cde0-47db-83f6-a8397f8c810e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareBasedPaymentArrangement50thPercentileMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnDomain_4e5d836e-b283-4afb-8b10-7e1e0417a24c" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareBasedPaymentArrangement50thPercentileMember_229fa21a-cde0-47db-83f6-a8397f8c810e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementGreaterThanOrEqualTo75thPercentileMember_f6f72fca-7134-4b2a-973c-3837b83fe0cf" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementGreaterThanOrEqualTo75thPercentileMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnDomain_4e5d836e-b283-4afb-8b10-7e1e0417a24c" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementGreaterThanOrEqualTo75thPercentileMember_f6f72fca-7134-4b2a-973c-3837b83fe0cf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_d0464dff-76aa-42f4-ade9-c49fd6a7216d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8033419c-3d3a-4d49-9c61-1041c8aa21c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_d0464dff-76aa-42f4-ade9-c49fd6a7216d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_d0464dff-76aa-42f4-ade9-c49fd6a7216d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_d0464dff-76aa-42f4-ade9-c49fd6a7216d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_d0464dff-76aa-42f4-ade9-c49fd6a7216d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_7d2a282b-2736-410d-b828-9979ed440522" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_d0464dff-76aa-42f4-ade9-c49fd6a7216d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_7d2a282b-2736-410d-b828-9979ed440522" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_9df957d9-7441-42ce-b5d6-da79e5eb6272" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_7d2a282b-2736-410d-b828-9979ed440522" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_9df957d9-7441-42ce-b5d6-da79e5eb6272" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryofNonvestedCommonShareandCommonShareUnitActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#StockBasedCompensationSummaryofNonvestedCommonShareandCommonShareUnitActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryofNonvestedCommonShareandCommonShareUnitActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ibcd87ea977f44495a808ff3204d915e1_StockBasedCompensationSummaryofNonvestedCommonShareandCommonShareUnitActivityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b4412f26-54e0-4495-af26-3f672cad6e8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_11ac4f4d-1f36-40b0-9d7c-7d13c6f8481e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b4412f26-54e0-4495-af26-3f672cad6e8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_11ac4f4d-1f36-40b0-9d7c-7d13c6f8481e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_0fd6dbb7-6f28-4bec-80fe-cea6eff20bbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_11ac4f4d-1f36-40b0-9d7c-7d13c6f8481e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_0fd6dbb7-6f28-4bec-80fe-cea6eff20bbd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_56bcb4c2-774b-4e49-a4e6-d0d8f2650d63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_11ac4f4d-1f36-40b0-9d7c-7d13c6f8481e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_56bcb4c2-774b-4e49-a4e6-d0d8f2650d63" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_5bcc13dc-25b9-479b-bea6-13522b555784" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_11ac4f4d-1f36-40b0-9d7c-7d13c6f8481e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_5bcc13dc-25b9-479b-bea6-13522b555784" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_dd60a44b-bbef-4031-ab3b-bcd7dc847dbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_11ac4f4d-1f36-40b0-9d7c-7d13c6f8481e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_dd60a44b-bbef-4031-ab3b-bcd7dc847dbc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_9513f1c5-090b-41d4-8f9a-abbe71d82b49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_2ba8cac7-b864-461b-a2fd-04efab07d445" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b4412f26-54e0-4495-af26-3f672cad6e8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_2ba8cac7-b864-461b-a2fd-04efab07d445" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_71311ea1-76a6-4d81-9541-464fe2524642" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_2ba8cac7-b864-461b-a2fd-04efab07d445" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_71311ea1-76a6-4d81-9541-464fe2524642" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_a26f9c0b-2c27-41f5-acf9-2feffbfb9601" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_2ba8cac7-b864-461b-a2fd-04efab07d445" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_a26f9c0b-2c27-41f5-acf9-2feffbfb9601" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_c50fdc5c-29e8-4a8e-8fe4-1194c8c1bf28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_2ba8cac7-b864-461b-a2fd-04efab07d445" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_c50fdc5c-29e8-4a8e-8fe4-1194c8c1bf28" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_89af0f88-639a-4b79-adbe-d433e8e38c18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_2ba8cac7-b864-461b-a2fd-04efab07d445" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_89af0f88-639a-4b79-adbe-d433e8e38c18" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_54eab39e-0616-4246-beb4-87314d1800f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_d17d9b65-39dc-46d1-be94-ae2e8c1ec64f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b4412f26-54e0-4495-af26-3f672cad6e8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_d17d9b65-39dc-46d1-be94-ae2e8c1ec64f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6aae60c7-049d-439c-87d9-e140236521f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_d17d9b65-39dc-46d1-be94-ae2e8c1ec64f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6aae60c7-049d-439c-87d9-e140236521f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6aae60c7-049d-439c-87d9-e140236521f8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6aae60c7-049d-439c-87d9-e140236521f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6aae60c7-049d-439c-87d9-e140236521f8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_263d2b98-c8c5-438d-a2c8-b13df5238b6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6aae60c7-049d-439c-87d9-e140236521f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_263d2b98-c8c5-438d-a2c8-b13df5238b6f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_1421dfa9-a5aa-48ed-b16d-b7d9e10bc99b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_263d2b98-c8c5-438d-a2c8-b13df5238b6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_1421dfa9-a5aa-48ed-b16d-b7d9e10bc99b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_11e1a6e9-f6f1-4272-8cae-0ad965ccdcf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_263d2b98-c8c5-438d-a2c8-b13df5238b6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_11e1a6e9-f6f1-4272-8cae-0ad965ccdcf9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_DividendEquivalentUnitMember_57ecaf1c-3cd3-48ee-98b9-5e41c3370148" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_DividendEquivalentUnitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_263d2b98-c8c5-438d-a2c8-b13df5238b6f" xlink:to="loc_esnt_DividendEquivalentUnitMember_57ecaf1c-3cd3-48ee-98b9-5e41c3370148" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_8e65ef12-17e3-42cb-9899-0bef48ade411" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_d17d9b65-39dc-46d1-be94-ae2e8c1ec64f" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_8e65ef12-17e3-42cb-9899-0bef48ade411" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_8e65ef12-17e3-42cb-9899-0bef48ade411_default" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_8e65ef12-17e3-42cb-9899-0bef48ade411" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_8e65ef12-17e3-42cb-9899-0bef48ade411_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_991a97be-7374-4d08-8dda-8747a5e44c67" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaAxis_8e65ef12-17e3-42cb-9899-0bef48ade411" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_991a97be-7374-4d08-8dda-8747a5e44c67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceAndPerformanceMember_be1f3cfd-8ba1-4338-84b6-79a905326dac" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceAndPerformanceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_991a97be-7374-4d08-8dda-8747a5e44c67" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceAndPerformanceMember_be1f3cfd-8ba1-4338-84b6-79a905326dac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceMember_f9d5957f-aa95-4fe9-94d5-6a97cd516993" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_VestingCriteriaDomain_991a97be-7374-4d08-8dda-8747a5e44c67" xlink:to="loc_esnt_VestingBasedOnServiceMember_f9d5957f-aa95-4fe9-94d5-6a97cd516993" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/DividendsRestrictionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#DividendsRestrictionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/DividendsRestrictionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i99f58b3ae83e4f7dbb87d4fef593180c_DividendsRestrictionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_317aff8a-e5db-4840-9150-1c42038912eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendPaymentsRestrictionsScheduleStatutoryCapitalAndSurplus1_8587533b-b6a5-45c5-94b7-02f4dcbedd17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DividendPaymentsRestrictionsScheduleStatutoryCapitalAndSurplus1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_317aff8a-e5db-4840-9150-1c42038912eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendPaymentsRestrictionsScheduleStatutoryCapitalAndSurplus1_8587533b-b6a5-45c5-94b7-02f4dcbedd17" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmountAvailableForDividendDistributionWithoutAffectingCapitalAdequacyRequirements_a21df9c4-4060-4bfd-9e5e-0fb29719b655" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AmountAvailableForDividendDistributionWithoutAffectingCapitalAdequacyRequirements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_317aff8a-e5db-4840-9150-1c42038912eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmountAvailableForDividendDistributionWithoutAffectingCapitalAdequacyRequirements_a21df9c4-4060-4bfd-9e5e-0fb29719b655" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries_12fe7209-617f-4982-ac66-b6b98573734f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_317aff8a-e5db-4840-9150-1c42038912eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries_12fe7209-617f-4982-ac66-b6b98573734f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_3bb9b344-da02-4b3f-88e7-0e2e9f2c305d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_317aff8a-e5db-4840-9150-1c42038912eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_3bb9b344-da02-4b3f-88e7-0e2e9f2c305d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_cc5103a0-b40c-4e16-b6b8-1bbde4a40474" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_317aff8a-e5db-4840-9150-1c42038912eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_cc5103a0-b40c-4e16-b6b8-1bbde4a40474" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_0ffecb73-5075-4134-9409-06d287de1e6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_cc5103a0-b40c-4e16-b6b8-1bbde4a40474" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_0ffecb73-5075-4134-9409-06d287de1e6f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_0ffecb73-5075-4134-9409-06d287de1e6f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_0ffecb73-5075-4134-9409-06d287de1e6f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_0ffecb73-5075-4134-9409-06d287de1e6f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f7902560-2208-4ebb-88a1-f075bb5d2925" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_0ffecb73-5075-4134-9409-06d287de1e6f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f7902560-2208-4ebb-88a1-f075bb5d2925" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_9520bb68-5714-443d-bd2f-f35b7b418042" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f7902560-2208-4ebb-88a1-f075bb5d2925" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_9520bb68-5714-443d-bd2f-f35b7b418042" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_c03efb37-1083-47a5-bc58-7dab1a71cf65" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentPAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f7902560-2208-4ebb-88a1-f075bb5d2925" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_c03efb37-1083-47a5-bc58-7dab1a71cf65" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember_65800ad4-33f0-4b4a-970c-d76bedbfdba5" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f7902560-2208-4ebb-88a1-f075bb5d2925" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember_65800ad4-33f0-4b4a-970c-d76bedbfdba5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_d855bef9-734c-448e-a9c9-dc68626919d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_cc5103a0-b40c-4e16-b6b8-1bbde4a40474" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_d855bef9-734c-448e-a9c9-dc68626919d2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_d855bef9-734c-448e-a9c9-dc68626919d2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_d855bef9-734c-448e-a9c9-dc68626919d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_d855bef9-734c-448e-a9c9-dc68626919d2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8d19744f-0a31-4c55-8fec-20bd1d6203cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_d855bef9-734c-448e-a9c9-dc68626919d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8d19744f-0a31-4c55-8fec-20bd1d6203cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_c8c1669a-2847-4371-a774-a952ac616688" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_AffiliatedEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8d19744f-0a31-4c55-8fec-20bd1d6203cd" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_c8c1669a-2847-4371-a774-a952ac616688" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6710f501-0885-4b8f-a7fe-41bb5b7d0c88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_cc5103a0-b40c-4e16-b6b8-1bbde4a40474" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6710f501-0885-4b8f-a7fe-41bb5b7d0c88" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_6710f501-0885-4b8f-a7fe-41bb5b7d0c88_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6710f501-0885-4b8f-a7fe-41bb5b7d0c88" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_6710f501-0885-4b8f-a7fe-41bb5b7d0c88_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_4329ed18-4e47-43c4-ac81-9936723b6dc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6710f501-0885-4b8f-a7fe-41bb5b7d0c88" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_4329ed18-4e47-43c4-ac81-9936723b6dc2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_a63c215b-2487-495f-abc7-2284fbce07f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_4329ed18-4e47-43c4-ac81-9936723b6dc2" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_a63c215b-2487-495f-abc7-2284fbce07f7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_7ac56bcc-d6ec-4beb-8c31-cf3875295cbf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_cc5103a0-b40c-4e16-b6b8-1bbde4a40474" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_7ac56bcc-d6ec-4beb-8c31-cf3875295cbf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_7ac56bcc-d6ec-4beb-8c31-cf3875295cbf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_7ac56bcc-d6ec-4beb-8c31-cf3875295cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_7ac56bcc-d6ec-4beb-8c31-cf3875295cbf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_95be137e-621b-4157-9dbc-edc1723dc8f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_7ac56bcc-d6ec-4beb-8c31-cf3875295cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_95be137e-621b-4157-9dbc-edc1723dc8f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_QuotaShareReinsuranceTransactionMember_8d0c06c9-c29e-4980-bb33-a9da2b6b0244" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_QuotaShareReinsuranceTransactionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_95be137e-621b-4157-9dbc-edc1723dc8f9" xlink:to="loc_esnt_QuotaShareReinsuranceTransactionMember_8d0c06c9-c29e-4980-bb33-a9da2b6b0244" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_1166c436-79f0-4ada-910e-e7022b0dbd43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_cc5103a0-b40c-4e16-b6b8-1bbde4a40474" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_1166c436-79f0-4ada-910e-e7022b0dbd43" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1166c436-79f0-4ada-910e-e7022b0dbd43_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_1166c436-79f0-4ada-910e-e7022b0dbd43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1166c436-79f0-4ada-910e-e7022b0dbd43_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_65410106-30fa-4400-944c-4b781f8301b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_1166c436-79f0-4ada-910e-e7022b0dbd43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_65410106-30fa-4400-944c-4b781f8301b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_f81dd574-48e7-43a4-bd8e-510cc09cf477" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_65410106-30fa-4400-944c-4b781f8301b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_f81dd574-48e7-43a4-bd8e-510cc09cf477" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i72c9b6824a704e33b81d1f582535c8ff_IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_a6a48b52-c817-4875-9905-4579484a1766" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_465fa60f-436f-4857-a163-efa57d1d07c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_a6a48b52-c817-4875-9905-4579484a1766" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_465fa60f-436f-4857-a163-efa57d1d07c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_IncreaseDecreaseInMortgageGuarantyInsurerUnitedStatesMortgageGuarantyTaxAndLossBonds_15ae60a5-d53c-472e-8e30-236c0929a98b" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_IncreaseDecreaseInMortgageGuarantyInsurerUnitedStatesMortgageGuarantyTaxAndLossBonds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_a6a48b52-c817-4875-9905-4579484a1766" xlink:to="loc_esnt_IncreaseDecreaseInMortgageGuarantyInsurerUnitedStatesMortgageGuarantyTaxAndLossBonds_15ae60a5-d53c-472e-8e30-236c0929a98b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_MortgageGuarantyInsurerUnitedStatesMortgageGuarantyTaxAndLossBonds_81d4f19c-4f07-4f11-ba6e-d1624ac63bc2" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_MortgageGuarantyInsurerUnitedStatesMortgageGuarantyTaxAndLossBonds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_a6a48b52-c817-4875-9905-4579484a1766" xlink:to="loc_esnt_MortgageGuarantyInsurerUnitedStatesMortgageGuarantyTaxAndLossBonds_81d4f19c-4f07-4f11-ba6e-d1624ac63bc2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ForeignEarningsRepatriatedWithholdingTaxRatePercent_114f11f7-f287-4623-9314-539a1b53c097" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ForeignEarningsRepatriatedWithholdingTaxRatePercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_a6a48b52-c817-4875-9905-4579484a1766" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ForeignEarningsRepatriatedWithholdingTaxRatePercent_114f11f7-f287-4623-9314-539a1b53c097" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedForeignEarnings_473fa6ac-c80f-49fa-82cd-2e7a41061d6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedForeignEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_a6a48b52-c817-4875-9905-4579484a1766" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedForeignEarnings_473fa6ac-c80f-49fa-82cd-2e7a41061d6b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedDomesticEarnings_aa3f8491-d91f-4301-b4a2-b171c97f43ae" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedDomesticEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_a6a48b52-c817-4875-9905-4579484a1766" xlink:to="loc_esnt_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedDomesticEarnings_aa3f8491-d91f-4301-b4a2-b171c97f43ae" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UndistributedEarningsOfDomesticSubsidiaries_300d52ef-b443-480d-bdda-6550d939e201" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UndistributedEarningsOfDomesticSubsidiaries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_a6a48b52-c817-4875-9905-4579484a1766" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UndistributedEarningsOfDomesticSubsidiaries_300d52ef-b443-480d-bdda-6550d939e201" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilityNotRecognizedAmountOfUnrecognizedDeferredTaxLiabilityUndistributedEarningsOfDomesticSubsidiaries_ad07f06e-dfcc-4123-93f9-fb20007cc3e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilityNotRecognizedAmountOfUnrecognizedDeferredTaxLiabilityUndistributedEarningsOfDomesticSubsidiaries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_a6a48b52-c817-4875-9905-4579484a1766" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilityNotRecognizedAmountOfUnrecognizedDeferredTaxLiabilityUndistributedEarningsOfDomesticSubsidiaries_ad07f06e-dfcc-4123-93f9-fb20007cc3e7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits_059d5c63-35ae-4716-b98d-cdf7468e45cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_a6a48b52-c817-4875-9905-4579484a1766" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits_059d5c63-35ae-4716-b98d-cdf7468e45cf" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_312b7ad1-dd61-4466-b6b7-56367061a4ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_a6a48b52-c817-4875-9905-4579484a1766" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_312b7ad1-dd61-4466-b6b7-56367061a4ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_34b92d4f-100f-45d6-9767-3aa25f0ced1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_312b7ad1-dd61-4466-b6b7-56367061a4ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_34b92d4f-100f-45d6-9767-3aa25f0ced1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_34b92d4f-100f-45d6-9767-3aa25f0ced1d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_34b92d4f-100f-45d6-9767-3aa25f0ced1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_34b92d4f-100f-45d6-9767-3aa25f0ced1d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_2684a723-be6a-4294-a085-ac367b4abafb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_34b92d4f-100f-45d6-9767-3aa25f0ced1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_2684a723-be6a-4294-a085-ac367b4abafb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember_e2be544e-f9e0-494a-9b1a-81ecd1d544d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_2684a723-be6a-4294-a085-ac367b4abafb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember_e2be544e-f9e0-494a-9b1a-81ecd1d544d5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember_2c08c2df-8e2d-496c-89ff-7207f097c98b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_2684a723-be6a-4294-a085-ac367b4abafb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember_2c08c2df-8e2d-496c-89ff-7207f097c98b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_UnitedStatesIrelandTaxTreatyBenefitsAvailedMember_e2629741-a3dc-4900-a148-12a643f46042" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_UnitedStatesIrelandTaxTreatyBenefitsAvailedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_2684a723-be6a-4294-a085-ac367b4abafb" xlink:to="loc_esnt_UnitedStatesIrelandTaxTreatyBenefitsAvailedMember_e2629741-a3dc-4900-a148-12a643f46042" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_AbsentBenefitsOfUnitedStatesIrelandTaxTreatyMember_887625ff-4160-46ec-9e13-917ec2c86cda" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_AbsentBenefitsOfUnitedStatesIrelandTaxTreatyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_2684a723-be6a-4294-a085-ac367b4abafb" xlink:to="loc_esnt_AbsentBenefitsOfUnitedStatesIrelandTaxTreatyMember_887625ff-4160-46ec-9e13-917ec2c86cda" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis_a0f4e29e-5e23-4272-b55e-68fed6f293f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_312b7ad1-dd61-4466-b6b7-56367061a4ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis_a0f4e29e-5e23-4272-b55e-68fed6f293f0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_a0f4e29e-5e23-4272-b55e-68fed6f293f0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis_a0f4e29e-5e23-4272-b55e-68fed6f293f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_a0f4e29e-5e23-4272-b55e-68fed6f293f0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_90bba96d-aabb-4cd9-b521-60dd0612573e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis_a0f4e29e-5e23-4272-b55e-68fed6f293f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_90bba96d-aabb-4cd9-b521-60dd0612573e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OfficeOfTheTaxCommissionerBermudaMember_cf569695-5c98-4918-81fa-70d4853cdca5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OfficeOfTheTaxCommissionerBermudaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_90bba96d-aabb-4cd9-b521-60dd0612573e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OfficeOfTheTaxCommissionerBermudaMember_cf569695-5c98-4918-81fa-70d4853cdca5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalRevenueServiceIRSMember_b682fe11-ba2d-4108-8e85-ac4ae3c70a37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InternalRevenueServiceIRSMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_90bba96d-aabb-4cd9-b521-60dd0612573e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalRevenueServiceIRSMember_b682fe11-ba2d-4108-8e85-ac4ae3c70a37" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_20654107-2c6f-47e2-afc0-6e5698efc174" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_312b7ad1-dd61-4466-b6b7-56367061a4ca" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_20654107-2c6f-47e2-afc0-6e5698efc174" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_20654107-2c6f-47e2-afc0-6e5698efc174_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_20654107-2c6f-47e2-afc0-6e5698efc174" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_20654107-2c6f-47e2-afc0-6e5698efc174_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8bae37a4-141f-4f68-8aa7-741ad2d08410" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_20654107-2c6f-47e2-afc0-6e5698efc174" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8bae37a4-141f-4f68-8aa7-741ad2d08410" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentUsHoldingsIncMember_79cea9bf-7472-4f51-adf7-a0489e7cb3f0" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentUsHoldingsIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8bae37a4-141f-4f68-8aa7-741ad2d08410" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentUsHoldingsIncMember_79cea9bf-7472-4f51-adf7-a0489e7cb3f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b8742de5-5d47-4d72-91c8-717d8cf12d27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_312b7ad1-dd61-4466-b6b7-56367061a4ca" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b8742de5-5d47-4d72-91c8-717d8cf12d27" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b8742de5-5d47-4d72-91c8-717d8cf12d27_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b8742de5-5d47-4d72-91c8-717d8cf12d27" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b8742de5-5d47-4d72-91c8-717d8cf12d27_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b667878a-5dc9-4e5b-b70f-08a0f0f4c906" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b8742de5-5d47-4d72-91c8-717d8cf12d27" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b667878a-5dc9-4e5b-b70f-08a0f0f4c906" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentIrishIntermediateHoldingsLimitedMember_f013e4f4-0bb1-4ff1-ac5e-7f41990bf46f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentIrishIntermediateHoldingsLimitedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b667878a-5dc9-4e5b-b70f-08a0f0f4c906" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentIrishIntermediateHoldingsLimitedMember_f013e4f4-0bb1-4ff1-ac5e-7f41990bf46f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_5c72762a-d0ae-4ca1-afba-27dccb69ad60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_312b7ad1-dd61-4466-b6b7-56367061a4ca" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_5c72762a-d0ae-4ca1-afba-27dccb69ad60" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_5c72762a-d0ae-4ca1-afba-27dccb69ad60_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_5c72762a-d0ae-4ca1-afba-27dccb69ad60" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_5c72762a-d0ae-4ca1-afba-27dccb69ad60_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_bb587e4e-2467-43fe-90d7-f64f0899b5ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_5c72762a-d0ae-4ca1-afba-27dccb69ad60" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_bb587e4e-2467-43fe-90d7-f64f0899b5ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_1e42cb75-94df-4fcf-b37b-cf8ce47fe4e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2022/country-2022.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_bb587e4e-2467-43fe-90d7-f64f0899b5ab" xlink:to="loc_country_US_1e42cb75-94df-4fcf-b37b-cf8ce47fe4e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/EarningsperShareEPSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#EarningsperShareEPSNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/EarningsperShareEPSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ifb459b8b10da45389e9bda586d845a50_EarningsperShareEPSNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_c5c04339-6ad3-4b70-a70f-d737b86c9820" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract_49cf78f3-cf3e-4b99-815a-0add5ccfa22c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_c5c04339-6ad3-4b70-a70f-d737b86c9820" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract_49cf78f3-cf3e-4b99-815a-0add5ccfa22c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_95a65fae-a4a9-4730-ab66-8900e280a720" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract_49cf78f3-cf3e-4b99-815a-0add5ccfa22c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_95a65fae-a4a9-4730-ab66-8900e280a720" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted_75d922f1-c124-4f80-bebb-05bc9c17eb00" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract_49cf78f3-cf3e-4b99-815a-0add5ccfa22c" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted_75d922f1-c124-4f80-bebb-05bc9c17eb00" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPeriodToDateVestingRightsPercentage_927a0453-5da0-470e-a9c0-f578bc75e605" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPeriodToDateVestingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustmentAbstract_49cf78f3-cf3e-4b99-815a-0add5ccfa22c" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPeriodToDateVestingRightsPercentage_927a0453-5da0-470e-a9c0-f578bc75e605" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_1dbd1e90-9444-4357-ade3-5946ad318b39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_c5c04339-6ad3-4b70-a70f-d737b86c9820" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_1dbd1e90-9444-4357-ade3-5946ad318b39" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_09a56890-aed4-46f8-ab7c-183f573fcadf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_1dbd1e90-9444-4357-ade3-5946ad318b39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_09a56890-aed4-46f8-ab7c-183f573fcadf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_09a56890-aed4-46f8-ab7c-183f573fcadf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_09a56890-aed4-46f8-ab7c-183f573fcadf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_09a56890-aed4-46f8-ab7c-183f573fcadf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_61826380-181d-4062-9dc8-ec0462407731" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_09a56890-aed4-46f8-ab7c-183f573fcadf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_61826380-181d-4062-9dc8-ec0462407731" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyTwoPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_0699f225-7d81-422c-a7a5-881345293cc0" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandTwentyTwoPerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_61826380-181d-4062-9dc8-ec0462407731" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyTwoPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_0699f225-7d81-422c-a7a5-881345293cc0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyOnePerformanceBasedGrantsMember_3892fd86-b40e-471d-ad07-a28cb08d90d6" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandTwentyOnePerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_61826380-181d-4062-9dc8-ec0462407731" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyOnePerformanceBasedGrantsMember_3892fd86-b40e-471d-ad07-a28cb08d90d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_5021b788-9e3e-4889-9854-1c921777fbf2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_61826380-181d-4062-9dc8-ec0462407731" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_5021b788-9e3e-4889-9854-1c921777fbf2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/EarningsperShareEPSScheduleofPercentofSharesIssuableUnderTermsofAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#EarningsperShareEPSScheduleofPercentofSharesIssuableUnderTermsofAgreementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/EarningsperShareEPSScheduleofPercentofSharesIssuableUnderTermsofAgreementDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1a81f646a662477291a4931ebd095f76_EarningsperShareEPSScheduleofPercentofSharesIssuableUnderTermsofAgreementDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_f08d48b2-9069-4229-a18d-b46eea8682c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted_0f07900c-5ed9-4fdd-a361-92e6d5d52867" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_f08d48b2-9069-4229-a18d-b46eea8682c0" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardsEarnedPercentageOfTargetSharesGranted_0f07900c-5ed9-4fdd-a361-92e6d5d52867" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPeriodToDateVestingRightsPercentage_b31ab440-8a97-4525-8462-5ed07170937a" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPeriodToDateVestingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_f08d48b2-9069-4229-a18d-b46eea8682c0" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPeriodToDateVestingRightsPercentage_b31ab440-8a97-4525-8462-5ed07170937a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_abeb42c0-7523-44cf-ba0a-6220d672edb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_f08d48b2-9069-4229-a18d-b46eea8682c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_abeb42c0-7523-44cf-ba0a-6220d672edb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d67289fc-55c2-437f-a690-e0ea401fd312" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_abeb42c0-7523-44cf-ba0a-6220d672edb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d67289fc-55c2-437f-a690-e0ea401fd312" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d67289fc-55c2-437f-a690-e0ea401fd312_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d67289fc-55c2-437f-a690-e0ea401fd312" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d67289fc-55c2-437f-a690-e0ea401fd312_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a232bff3-f765-48ff-8a0a-b64b030e72f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d67289fc-55c2-437f-a690-e0ea401fd312" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a232bff3-f765-48ff-8a0a-b64b030e72f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyTwoPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_6bac1bed-e4d3-4628-8486-10b0b97a3edb" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandTwentyTwoPerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a232bff3-f765-48ff-8a0a-b64b030e72f2" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyTwoPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_6bac1bed-e4d3-4628-8486-10b0b97a3edb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyOnePerformanceBasedGrantsMember_20665e4e-2fc8-4c61-93a5-199aea2a59d0" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandTwentyOnePerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a232bff3-f765-48ff-8a0a-b64b030e72f2" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyOnePerformanceBasedGrantsMember_20665e4e-2fc8-4c61-93a5-199aea2a59d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_3f880df4-7686-4297-87b6-0a362bc2dfc7" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandTwentyPerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a232bff3-f765-48ff-8a0a-b64b030e72f2" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandTwentyPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_3f880df4-7686-4297-87b6-0a362bc2dfc7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandNineteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_a22c18eb-8ef3-4276-8e3a-e3568f7b5fc1" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandNineteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a232bff3-f765-48ff-8a0a-b64b030e72f2" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandNineteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_a22c18eb-8ef3-4276-8e3a-e3568f7b5fc1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_TwoThousandEighteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_c0a64c86-b352-490a-b42a-e8fb817cd539" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_TwoThousandEighteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a232bff3-f765-48ff-8a0a-b64b030e72f2" xlink:to="loc_esnt_TwoThousandEighteenPerformanceBasedGrantsMember_c0a64c86-b352-490a-b42a-e8fb817cd539" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ica1071d841f1476b958f60267081d0c3_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_9d09c70a-b5b7-4a32-bb06-f8755aa9cf37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_AOCIAttributableToParentBeforeTaxRollForward_4fefd0a2-48ac-4f8a-bd82-9305af1b004c" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_AOCIAttributableToParentBeforeTaxRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_9d09c70a-b5b7-4a32-bb06-f8755aa9cf37" xlink:to="loc_esnt_AOCIAttributableToParentBeforeTaxRollForward_4fefd0a2-48ac-4f8a-bd82-9305af1b004c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_101ddd74-88f6-41bf-8bac-0bf8d014891c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AociBeforeTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_AOCIAttributableToParentBeforeTaxRollForward_4fefd0a2-48ac-4f8a-bd82-9305af1b004c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_101ddd74-88f6-41bf-8bac-0bf8d014891c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_edbe798a-04c7-4ee0-894a-782513107cbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_AOCIAttributableToParentBeforeTaxRollForward_4fefd0a2-48ac-4f8a-bd82-9305af1b004c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_edbe798a-04c7-4ee0-894a-782513107cbd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_e144cf4d-db46-42ab-bea2-5a26bf5eb5cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_edbe798a-04c7-4ee0-894a-782513107cbd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_e144cf4d-db46-42ab-bea2-5a26bf5eb5cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_60946e3a-af0e-4b75-ada7-a7676ac97238" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodBeforeTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_edbe798a-04c7-4ee0-894a-782513107cbd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_60946e3a-af0e-4b75-ada7-a7676ac97238" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent_1f1e4f9b-23fd-4c0b-8689-5228fa2b4c2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_edbe798a-04c7-4ee0-894a-782513107cbd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent_1f1e4f9b-23fd-4c0b-8689-5228fa2b4c2d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_3b93566d-3925-4a67-9955-d15d5dfef5f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AociBeforeTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_AOCIAttributableToParentTaxRollForward_e2fec2e7-ecc0-40c2-880a-61ebd1527fdb" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_AOCIAttributableToParentTaxRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_9d09c70a-b5b7-4a32-bb06-f8755aa9cf37" xlink:to="loc_esnt_AOCIAttributableToParentTaxRollForward_e2fec2e7-ecc0-40c2-880a-61ebd1527fdb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociTaxAttributableToParent_7ae512e4-0731-4b48-9f26-e3a648440d5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AociTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_AOCIAttributableToParentTaxRollForward_e2fec2e7-ecc0-40c2-880a-61ebd1527fdb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociTaxAttributableToParent_7ae512e4-0731-4b48-9f26-e3a648440d5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_18a5a7a3-3165-46de-bb3a-f82527a38daa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_esnt_AOCIAttributableToParentTaxRollForward_e2fec2e7-ecc0-40c2-880a-61ebd1527fdb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_18a5a7a3-3165-46de-bb3a-f82527a38daa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsTax_0ad873a9-66a2-4b4a-a1c7-18e0b8347bf6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_18a5a7a3-3165-46de-bb3a-f82527a38daa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsTax_0ad873a9-66a2-4b4a-a1c7-18e0b8347bf6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodTax_c5d82108-720b-43c5-ae93-cb42128c04d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_18a5a7a3-3165-46de-bb3a-f82527a38daa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodTax_c5d82108-720b-43c5-ae93-cb42128c04d4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParent1_a08e2d9d-5319-4d67-bf45-d376f18082bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParent1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_18a5a7a3-3165-46de-bb3a-f82527a38daa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxPortionAttributableToParent1_a08e2d9d-5319-4d67-bf45-d376f18082bb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociTaxAttributableToParent_2ca2b87d-f800-4626-8f40-5c35f23ed26f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AociTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_60a21141-0579-4299-979d-121aa0a544a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_9d09c70a-b5b7-4a32-bb06-f8755aa9cf37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_60a21141-0579-4299-979d-121aa0a544a5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_14348bd5-d434-49e3-82b2-7ba7d306b5bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_60a21141-0579-4299-979d-121aa0a544a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_14348bd5-d434-49e3-82b2-7ba7d306b5bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_14446b9a-4bdd-475c-bbf2-614ad7174968" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_60a21141-0579-4299-979d-121aa0a544a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_14446b9a-4bdd-475c-bbf2-614ad7174968" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_9c0be521-885c-4c39-9835-af061d93eab8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_14446b9a-4bdd-475c-bbf2-614ad7174968" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_9c0be521-885c-4c39-9835-af061d93eab8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_b65918ab-1a68-43d4-b917-96b8ab8bc504" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_14446b9a-4bdd-475c-bbf2-614ad7174968" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_b65918ab-1a68-43d4-b917-96b8ab8bc504" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_7f7af920-ba5c-4c70-a645-d8e78982607a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_14446b9a-4bdd-475c-bbf2-614ad7174968" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_7f7af920-ba5c-4c70-a645-d8e78982607a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_6e3d2d12-6031-4f88-98ec-0fb8f5c8ffdc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_c1f428ea-5797-41dd-b6a2-de5b0d7f674d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_9d09c70a-b5b7-4a32-bb06-f8755aa9cf37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_c1f428ea-5797-41dd-b6a2-de5b0d7f674d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_24f75746-621f-447a-851c-9f56af09d27b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_9d09c70a-b5b7-4a32-bb06-f8755aa9cf37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_24f75746-621f-447a-851c-9f56af09d27b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_abd6ab3d-9c44-45de-92ee-ac1eec9f649e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_24f75746-621f-447a-851c-9f56af09d27b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_abd6ab3d-9c44-45de-92ee-ac1eec9f649e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_abd6ab3d-9c44-45de-92ee-ac1eec9f649e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_abd6ab3d-9c44-45de-92ee-ac1eec9f649e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_abd6ab3d-9c44-45de-92ee-ac1eec9f649e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_00caf267-0cbc-4c55-aef4-dfa657a1d9e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_abd6ab3d-9c44-45de-92ee-ac1eec9f649e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_00caf267-0cbc-4c55-aef4-dfa657a1d9e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_ebde4b4b-f070-4860-b52d-25a7137c62e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_00caf267-0cbc-4c55-aef4-dfa657a1d9e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_ebde4b4b-f070-4860-b52d-25a7137c62e5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_2664c1d7-84d3-4c9e-8291-3e997703d59c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_00caf267-0cbc-4c55-aef4-dfa657a1d9e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_2664c1d7-84d3-4c9e-8291-3e997703d59c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_49ad9de0-c737-4ad0-9054-73574d48733b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_24f75746-621f-447a-851c-9f56af09d27b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_49ad9de0-c737-4ad0-9054-73574d48733b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_49ad9de0-c737-4ad0-9054-73574d48733b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_49ad9de0-c737-4ad0-9054-73574d48733b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_49ad9de0-c737-4ad0-9054-73574d48733b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_c5bf9e1c-bad4-4e85-b162-73aacbfe3bc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_49ad9de0-c737-4ad0-9054-73574d48733b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_c5bf9e1c-bad4-4e85-b162-73aacbfe3bc3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_OtherInvestedAssetsMember_a72d5506-7ef4-44f7-addc-b27ce738c749" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_OtherInvestedAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_c5bf9e1c-bad4-4e85-b162-73aacbfe3bc3" xlink:to="loc_esnt_OtherInvestedAssetsMember_a72d5506-7ef4-44f7-addc-b27ce738c749" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i37022513dd8a4a6a8dac5b523a84e494_FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_1ad694bf-2dd1-4431-b60a-d4514e35a918" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_7edf113b-7144-4e52-8f1c-03aca0be6399" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_1ad694bf-2dd1-4431-b60a-d4514e35a918" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_7edf113b-7144-4e52-8f1c-03aca0be6399" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_f8d27713-d4aa-4ab5-901b-712b5e036b7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_7edf113b-7144-4e52-8f1c-03aca0be6399" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_f8d27713-d4aa-4ab5-901b-712b5e036b7c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_b400d035-05ea-425c-a468-069a83d47f18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_7edf113b-7144-4e52-8f1c-03aca0be6399" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_b400d035-05ea-425c-a468-069a83d47f18" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f025003f-1375-478f-83fa-67f7e0300aba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_1ad694bf-2dd1-4431-b60a-d4514e35a918" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f025003f-1375-478f-83fa-67f7e0300aba" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_cd5ce36d-ee21-4710-a37a-828eb21284c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f025003f-1375-478f-83fa-67f7e0300aba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_cd5ce36d-ee21-4710-a37a-828eb21284c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_cd5ce36d-ee21-4710-a37a-828eb21284c9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_cd5ce36d-ee21-4710-a37a-828eb21284c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_cd5ce36d-ee21-4710-a37a-828eb21284c9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_ae6515da-8b8f-4580-b4be-0162f5573dcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_cd5ce36d-ee21-4710-a37a-828eb21284c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_ae6515da-8b8f-4580-b4be-0162f5573dcf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_aeba18c4-bc96-4f4f-ad8f-9f3af1eea60a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_ae6515da-8b8f-4580-b4be-0162f5573dcf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_aeba18c4-bc96-4f4f-ad8f-9f3af1eea60a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_dc87f4a4-ab84-402a-91df-cdbd8c8846d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f025003f-1375-478f-83fa-67f7e0300aba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_dc87f4a4-ab84-402a-91df-cdbd8c8846d7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_dc87f4a4-ab84-402a-91df-cdbd8c8846d7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_dc87f4a4-ab84-402a-91df-cdbd8c8846d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_dc87f4a4-ab84-402a-91df-cdbd8c8846d7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_cfb38d95-e0d7-4919-bef1-d1961a4f0fc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_dc87f4a4-ab84-402a-91df-cdbd8c8846d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_cfb38d95-e0d7-4919-bef1-d1961a4f0fc2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_7503c5e7-bc5e-49c0-aba5-c2322ef3d8ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_cfb38d95-e0d7-4919-bef1-d1961a4f0fc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_7503c5e7-bc5e-49c0-aba5-c2322ef3d8ae" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_e413c6bb-25d3-4c46-aa26-cc00c6f01e42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_cfb38d95-e0d7-4919-bef1-d1961a4f0fc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_e413c6bb-25d3-4c46-aa26-cc00c6f01e42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_c8a000a1-7a07-4d77-811e-c951cff53694" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_cfb38d95-e0d7-4919-bef1-d1961a4f0fc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_c8a000a1-7a07-4d77-811e-c951cff53694" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_57e4d61b-1f38-44e3-a4bc-799f1e091a8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f025003f-1375-478f-83fa-67f7e0300aba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_57e4d61b-1f38-44e3-a4bc-799f1e091a8e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_57e4d61b-1f38-44e3-a4bc-799f1e091a8e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_57e4d61b-1f38-44e3-a4bc-799f1e091a8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_57e4d61b-1f38-44e3-a4bc-799f1e091a8e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ab1eecbb-daab-411a-88cd-ada13101bf5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_57e4d61b-1f38-44e3-a4bc-799f1e091a8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ab1eecbb-daab-411a-88cd-ada13101bf5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_54745dc8-7301-4bca-835a-c3775467050f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ab1eecbb-daab-411a-88cd-ada13101bf5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_54745dc8-7301-4bca-835a-c3775467050f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_8c37c37e-f7a1-460f-b343-4cb782c9349b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ab1eecbb-daab-411a-88cd-ada13101bf5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_8c37c37e-f7a1-460f-b343-4cb782c9349b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_4eec635b-c069-4f92-ba5d-b522644ca24c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ab1eecbb-daab-411a-88cd-ada13101bf5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_4eec635b-c069-4f92-ba5d-b522644ca24c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_596ec8aa-ece8-4113-82fe-51e71c511aec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ab1eecbb-daab-411a-88cd-ada13101bf5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_596ec8aa-ece8-4113-82fe-51e71c511aec" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_023d5c2e-5321-42fa-8ff0-9006b5916a2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ab1eecbb-daab-411a-88cd-ada13101bf5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_023d5c2e-5321-42fa-8ff0-9006b5916a2f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_88177f28-18e0-4a4e-a8e1-953717d68619" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ab1eecbb-daab-411a-88cd-ada13101bf5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_88177f28-18e0-4a4e-a8e1-953717d68619" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember_b18bcc61-8837-4f8c-ba91-57fe438be505" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ab1eecbb-daab-411a-88cd-ada13101bf5c" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember_b18bcc61-8837-4f8c-ba91-57fe438be505" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_78db804d-e3de-401c-992c-318683317d83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ab1eecbb-daab-411a-88cd-ada13101bf5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_78db804d-e3de-401c-992c-318683317d83" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_5c9f04eb-4a9a-4cbf-b72c-aeffdab68712" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_ab1eecbb-daab-411a-88cd-ada13101bf5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_5c9f04eb-4a9a-4cbf-b72c-aeffdab68712" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/StatutoryAccountingScheduleofStatutoryNetIncomeStatutorySurplusandContingencyReserveLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#StatutoryAccountingScheduleofStatutoryNetIncomeStatutorySurplusandContingencyReserveLiabilityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/StatutoryAccountingScheduleofStatutoryNetIncomeStatutorySurplusandContingencyReserveLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i69146c28fdf94fe38de49fd89dd53c02_StatutoryAccountingScheduleofStatutoryNetIncomeStatutorySurplusandContingencyReserveLiabilityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_159344ef-85f2-4728-bd85-5f67a2eb6117" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount_f8b2b3d6-fe1e-4918-a29a-a5c7c010b143" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_159344ef-85f2-4728-bd85-5f67a2eb6117" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount_f8b2b3d6-fe1e-4918-a29a-a5c7c010b143" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutorySurplusBalance_0164f588-5597-40c3-a79f-186c9cd20559" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutorySurplusBalance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_159344ef-85f2-4728-bd85-5f67a2eb6117" xlink:to="loc_esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutorySurplusBalance_0164f588-5597-40c3-a79f-186c9cd20559" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryContingencyReserveLiability_0924dbd4-2deb-467c-9f65-643312fbad0f" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryContingencyReserveLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_159344ef-85f2-4728-bd85-5f67a2eb6117" xlink:to="loc_esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryContingencyReserveLiability_0924dbd4-2deb-467c-9f65-643312fbad0f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_a113e2bf-71ad-497b-bdff-ea4f6ec8c6eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_159344ef-85f2-4728-bd85-5f67a2eb6117" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_a113e2bf-71ad-497b-bdff-ea4f6ec8c6eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_f0e19eaf-fe11-47d6-9c55-b6df3bee0e5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_a113e2bf-71ad-497b-bdff-ea4f6ec8c6eb" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_f0e19eaf-fe11-47d6-9c55-b6df3bee0e5a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f0e19eaf-fe11-47d6-9c55-b6df3bee0e5a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_f0e19eaf-fe11-47d6-9c55-b6df3bee0e5a" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f0e19eaf-fe11-47d6-9c55-b6df3bee0e5a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_9799d851-292f-41ba-a75c-3bfe14ab742b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_f0e19eaf-fe11-47d6-9c55-b6df3bee0e5a" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_9799d851-292f-41ba-a75c-3bfe14ab742b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_1f38576f-cffe-47c4-ba3c-94a536fa6478" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_9799d851-292f-41ba-a75c-3bfe14ab742b" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_1f38576f-cffe-47c4-ba3c-94a536fa6478" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_14e467ee-d86f-42b6-9ee5-43dad8df942e" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentPAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_9799d851-292f-41ba-a75c-3bfe14ab742b" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_14e467ee-d86f-42b6-9ee5-43dad8df942e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_92d24c5e-af98-4e44-a9b8-d2092ea6ab13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_a113e2bf-71ad-497b-bdff-ea4f6ec8c6eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_92d24c5e-af98-4e44-a9b8-d2092ea6ab13" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_92d24c5e-af98-4e44-a9b8-d2092ea6ab13_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_92d24c5e-af98-4e44-a9b8-d2092ea6ab13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_92d24c5e-af98-4e44-a9b8-d2092ea6ab13_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_48554b73-a874-4836-9104-9c9f9f284a28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_92d24c5e-af98-4e44-a9b8-d2092ea6ab13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_48554b73-a874-4836-9104-9c9f9f284a28" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_56100338-d456-4886-88a6-381ba37e88c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_AffiliatedEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_48554b73-a874-4836-9104-9c9f9f284a28" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_56100338-d456-4886-88a6-381ba37e88c9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/StatutoryAccountingNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#StatutoryAccountingNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/StatutoryAccountingNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4a36ee1e0e1f486fa7179f4a100859ce_StatutoryAccountingNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_b1dc06a7-9c83-4840-9c3a-6f53043144bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesIncreaseDecreaseInContingencyReserve_022f343c-668d-46e2-8758-f6e7bb64c13d" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesIncreaseDecreaseInContingencyReserve"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_b1dc06a7-9c83-4840-9c3a-6f53043144bc" xlink:to="loc_esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesIncreaseDecreaseInContingencyReserve_022f343c-668d-46e2-8758-f6e7bb64c13d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesContingencyReservesReleased_ed13f00d-018c-43d0-8942-7f64296d601a" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesContingencyReservesReleased"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_b1dc06a7-9c83-4840-9c3a-6f53043144bc" xlink:to="loc_esnt_StatutoryAccountingPracticesContingencyReservesReleased_ed13f00d-018c-43d0-8942-7f64296d601a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusBalance_4b3898ab-c413-4749-8152-348041badb4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusBalance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_b1dc06a7-9c83-4840-9c3a-6f53043144bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusBalance_4b3898ab-c413-4749-8152-348041badb4b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount_b40837a0-7926-433e-9ac9-839120265d3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_b1dc06a7-9c83-4840-9c3a-6f53043144bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount_b40837a0-7926-433e-9ac9-839120265d3b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_c264d6bc-293b-4d0b-8c6c-dd7a972ae6b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_b1dc06a7-9c83-4840-9c3a-6f53043144bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_c264d6bc-293b-4d0b-8c6c-dd7a972ae6b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5f3b02d3-b28b-44b4-af4e-9cd121edcf04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_c264d6bc-293b-4d0b-8c6c-dd7a972ae6b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5f3b02d3-b28b-44b4-af4e-9cd121edcf04" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_5f3b02d3-b28b-44b4-af4e-9cd121edcf04_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5f3b02d3-b28b-44b4-af4e-9cd121edcf04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_5f3b02d3-b28b-44b4-af4e-9cd121edcf04_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_0e9dbed4-6ddc-4e05-9b4d-748bd2ff1c54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5f3b02d3-b28b-44b4-af4e-9cd121edcf04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_0e9dbed4-6ddc-4e05-9b4d-748bd2ff1c54" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_0ca2cdbe-7e8d-430d-8dbf-56e6910d948d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_AffiliatedEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_0e9dbed4-6ddc-4e05-9b4d-748bd2ff1c54" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_0ca2cdbe-7e8d-430d-8dbf-56e6910d948d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b4865702-25c2-4b6b-8537-071d3d0baf94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_c264d6bc-293b-4d0b-8c6c-dd7a972ae6b0" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b4865702-25c2-4b6b-8537-071d3d0baf94" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b4865702-25c2-4b6b-8537-071d3d0baf94_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b4865702-25c2-4b6b-8537-071d3d0baf94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b4865702-25c2-4b6b-8537-071d3d0baf94_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b20e3679-243f-45c0-b102-26ba406b6cf3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b4865702-25c2-4b6b-8537-071d3d0baf94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b20e3679-243f-45c0-b102-26ba406b6cf3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_edc17aa7-b082-4609-8e6f-2423bd4e4038" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b20e3679-243f-45c0-b102-26ba406b6cf3" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_edc17aa7-b082-4609-8e6f-2423bd4e4038" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_220ac8ec-cf2a-4048-9701-8420c14790ef" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentPAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b20e3679-243f-45c0-b102-26ba406b6cf3" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_220ac8ec-cf2a-4048-9701-8420c14790ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember_6b75dc34-2f4d-4514-9d31-93a439bdfd3d" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b20e3679-243f-45c0-b102-26ba406b6cf3" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentReinsuranceLtdMember_6b75dc34-2f4d-4514-9d31-93a439bdfd3d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/CapitalMaintenanceAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#CapitalMaintenanceAgreementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/CapitalMaintenanceAgreementDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1b74f3fb69ea4497820a781a4dd9c7f1_CapitalMaintenanceAgreementDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_af389e85-2459-4ad1-9a46-67d5701f4b64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RiskToCapitalRatio_e2892579-ff51-4fab-99b1-b245c7a21d23" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RiskToCapitalRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_af389e85-2459-4ad1-9a46-67d5701f4b64" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RiskToCapitalRatio_e2892579-ff51-4fab-99b1-b245c7a21d23" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableRelatedParties_8173d756-7773-4a95-b8b1-5f655c318cc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableRelatedParties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_af389e85-2459-4ad1-9a46-67d5701f4b64" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableRelatedParties_8173d756-7773-4a95-b8b1-5f655c318cc7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_3b6a0bce-483b-41a7-9523-db6cc100cb19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_af389e85-2459-4ad1-9a46-67d5701f4b64" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_3b6a0bce-483b-41a7-9523-db6cc100cb19" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_423da980-8439-44b2-a201-bde7db1cd510" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_3b6a0bce-483b-41a7-9523-db6cc100cb19" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_423da980-8439-44b2-a201-bde7db1cd510" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_423da980-8439-44b2-a201-bde7db1cd510_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_423da980-8439-44b2-a201-bde7db1cd510" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_423da980-8439-44b2-a201-bde7db1cd510_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_53018dcf-20f9-4ad4-bdbd-46d641f4b421" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_423da980-8439-44b2-a201-bde7db1cd510" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_53018dcf-20f9-4ad4-bdbd-46d641f4b421" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_83688689-3974-41cb-8669-4b104c9fd92c" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_53018dcf-20f9-4ad4-bdbd-46d641f4b421" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_83688689-3974-41cb-8669-4b104c9fd92c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_d56cd246-66e0-4a90-9745-0eb7ac16fa06" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentPAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_53018dcf-20f9-4ad4-bdbd-46d641f4b421" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_d56cd246-66e0-4a90-9745-0eb7ac16fa06" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_e626c184-80fb-4444-b78b-d024155f6a46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_3b6a0bce-483b-41a7-9523-db6cc100cb19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_e626c184-80fb-4444-b78b-d024155f6a46" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_e626c184-80fb-4444-b78b-d024155f6a46_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_e626c184-80fb-4444-b78b-d024155f6a46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_e626c184-80fb-4444-b78b-d024155f6a46_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_b5d9bb59-c59d-4397-a185-fa7fae2b6ab9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_e626c184-80fb-4444-b78b-d024155f6a46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_b5d9bb59-c59d-4397-a185-fa7fae2b6ab9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_CapitalMaintenanceAgreementMember_99f584d2-eb9f-4e08-b8d9-ce01a573ad14" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_CapitalMaintenanceAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_b5d9bb59-c59d-4397-a185-fa7fae2b6ab9" xlink:to="loc_esnt_CapitalMaintenanceAgreementMember_99f584d2-eb9f-4e08-b8d9-ce01a573ad14" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e79c1ece-204a-469c-8441-8cf4be953766" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_3b6a0bce-483b-41a7-9523-db6cc100cb19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e79c1ece-204a-469c-8441-8cf4be953766" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e79c1ece-204a-469c-8441-8cf4be953766_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e79c1ece-204a-469c-8441-8cf4be953766" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e79c1ece-204a-469c-8441-8cf4be953766_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_67c2c359-122f-4093-914f-65675f35f4f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e79c1ece-204a-469c-8441-8cf4be953766" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_67c2c359-122f-4093-914f-65675f35f4f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_81db0d85-8723-4dbe-9614-15747468da5a" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentPAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_67c2c359-122f-4093-914f-65675f35f4f9" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_81db0d85-8723-4dbe-9614-15747468da5a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_c0bbd4bc-98af-41e8-b6a8-92dc0a4ab6a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_3b6a0bce-483b-41a7-9523-db6cc100cb19" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_c0bbd4bc-98af-41e8-b6a8-92dc0a4ab6a2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_c0bbd4bc-98af-41e8-b6a8-92dc0a4ab6a2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_c0bbd4bc-98af-41e8-b6a8-92dc0a4ab6a2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_c0bbd4bc-98af-41e8-b6a8-92dc0a4ab6a2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_f4397d7e-5eed-4f5f-a330-1dc2d54dcb81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_c0bbd4bc-98af-41e8-b6a8-92dc0a4ab6a2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_f4397d7e-5eed-4f5f-a330-1dc2d54dcb81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_7d85569c-4656-4dd5-b3f9-5c708a03e85d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_f4397d7e-5eed-4f5f-a330-1dc2d54dcb81" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_7d85569c-4656-4dd5-b3f9-5c708a03e85d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ScheduleISummaryofInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsinRelatedPartiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ScheduleISummaryofInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsinRelatedPartiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ScheduleISummaryofInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsinRelatedPartiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0c2b0173934b40ab8e0894e0be4848dc_ScheduleISummaryofInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsinRelatedPartiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesReportableDataLineItems_de9247a4-a615-4f23-a14f-4c79e493a589" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesReportableDataLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesCost_0f067610-7785-47a2-8bda-ae73ca9a2d38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesReportableDataLineItems_de9247a4-a615-4f23-a14f-4c79e493a589" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesCost_0f067610-7785-47a2-8bda-ae73ca9a2d38" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesFairValue_fc2715f5-974e-4fb0-b6c4-8900284490f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesReportableDataLineItems_de9247a4-a615-4f23-a14f-4c79e493a589" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesFairValue_fc2715f5-974e-4fb0-b6c4-8900284490f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesCarryingAmount_3a6e4c3a-4c82-4b8b-8fce-b2cc2db4d9ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesReportableDataLineItems_de9247a4-a615-4f23-a14f-4c79e493a589" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesCarryingAmount_3a6e4c3a-4c82-4b8b-8fce-b2cc2db4d9ec" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesTable_17979c2c-75fc-4780-bf58-3cdf129ad313" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesReportableDataLineItems_de9247a4-a615-4f23-a14f-4c79e493a589" xlink:to="loc_srt_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesTable_17979c2c-75fc-4780-bf58-3cdf129ad313" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_b9958bcb-2de2-40c3-8df4-5e87f27cbba3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesTable_17979c2c-75fc-4780-bf58-3cdf129ad313" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_b9958bcb-2de2-40c3-8df4-5e87f27cbba3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b9958bcb-2de2-40c3-8df4-5e87f27cbba3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_b9958bcb-2de2-40c3-8df4-5e87f27cbba3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_b9958bcb-2de2-40c3-8df4-5e87f27cbba3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_6c5157dc-4458-4b56-bc95-caae299a758f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_b9958bcb-2de2-40c3-8df4-5e87f27cbba3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_6c5157dc-4458-4b56-bc95-caae299a758f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_c1959855-b851-4c03-a32e-49ba413f2860" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_6c5157dc-4458-4b56-bc95-caae299a758f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_c1959855-b851-4c03-a32e-49ba413f2860" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_e6100ad0-7d4c-4dbc-ac7e-836e86a395a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_6c5157dc-4458-4b56-bc95-caae299a758f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_e6100ad0-7d4c-4dbc-ac7e-836e86a395a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsMember_14201bb4-c136-4bd9-96ef-9aa85d696977" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_6c5157dc-4458-4b56-bc95-caae299a758f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsMember_14201bb4-c136-4bd9-96ef-9aa85d696977" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_fb2461e2-6f79-4968-bed5-14f1efbfee2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesTable_17979c2c-75fc-4780-bf58-3cdf129ad313" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_fb2461e2-6f79-4968-bed5-14f1efbfee2c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_fb2461e2-6f79-4968-bed5-14f1efbfee2c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_fb2461e2-6f79-4968-bed5-14f1efbfee2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_fb2461e2-6f79-4968-bed5-14f1efbfee2c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4fc1f885-81d5-4ced-9c5a-0d7d14bbd512" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_fb2461e2-6f79-4968-bed5-14f1efbfee2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4fc1f885-81d5-4ced-9c5a-0d7d14bbd512" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_6e9e72ca-6684-43df-b5b4-d2643acbd907" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4fc1f885-81d5-4ced-9c5a-0d7d14bbd512" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_6e9e72ca-6684-43df-b5b4-d2643acbd907" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_a14cbc63-034f-49d6-af99-4b1d1bd162c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4fc1f885-81d5-4ced-9c5a-0d7d14bbd512" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_a14cbc63-034f-49d6-af99-4b1d1bd162c5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember_e5b5270c-9242-4308-b154-a67670dfce1b" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4fc1f885-81d5-4ced-9c5a-0d7d14bbd512" xlink:to="loc_esnt_ResidentialAndCommercialMortgageSecuritiesMember_e5b5270c-9242-4308-b154-a67670dfce1b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_7511279c-1177-40b6-a3e6-173a6264a7f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4fc1f885-81d5-4ced-9c5a-0d7d14bbd512" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_7511279c-1177-40b6-a3e6-173a6264a7f8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_948060d7-bc07-4aed-b3c2-4794f5ead105" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4fc1f885-81d5-4ced-9c5a-0d7d14bbd512" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_948060d7-bc07-4aed-b3c2-4794f5ead105" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllOtherCorporateBondsMember_dd49ab28-dfb2-4b97-b84a-53d4638d26a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AllOtherCorporateBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4fc1f885-81d5-4ced-9c5a-0d7d14bbd512" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllOtherCorporateBondsMember_dd49ab28-dfb2-4b97-b84a-53d4638d26a9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedBalanceSheetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedBalanceSheetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedBalanceSheetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id959a1b764f147338b8001ef4e3ad08b_ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedBalanceSheetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_8e7e6d95-b886-4a4d-9984-6258444a5e5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_f51a749f-e239-4859-b4c7-cd9b8286ed73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_8e7e6d95-b886-4a4d-9984-6258444a5e5d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_f51a749f-e239-4859-b4c7-cd9b8286ed73" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_d3b0978a-8b2f-446d-a422-e51eb0cc083c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_f51a749f-e239-4859-b4c7-cd9b8286ed73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_d3b0978a-8b2f-446d-a422-e51eb0cc083c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_e4fcc969-b9e9-46a3-8188-95b3303f9821" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_f51a749f-e239-4859-b4c7-cd9b8286ed73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_e4fcc969-b9e9-46a3-8188-95b3303f9821" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Cash_c0824c31-ceda-47da-8d22-98b49a8d9584" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Cash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_f51a749f-e239-4859-b4c7-cd9b8286ed73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Cash_c0824c31-ceda-47da-8d22-98b49a8d9584" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DueFromAffiliates_66200fa5-bbc8-4fab-8ee1-af44b019cd56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DueFromAffiliates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_f51a749f-e239-4859-b4c7-cd9b8286ed73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DueFromAffiliates_66200fa5-bbc8-4fab-8ee1-af44b019cd56" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_050c1af3-fc83-4220-af34-056d4c93ae56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_f51a749f-e239-4859-b4c7-cd9b8286ed73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_050c1af3-fc83-4220-af34-056d4c93ae56" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_7c631dd7-87b2-45ff-864f-c96864426edb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_f51a749f-e239-4859-b4c7-cd9b8286ed73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_7c631dd7-87b2-45ff-864f-c96864426edb" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_e5b29073-0985-4037-9a0f-171fb5d1cbc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_f51a749f-e239-4859-b4c7-cd9b8286ed73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_e5b29073-0985-4037-9a0f-171fb5d1cbc9" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_1327d614-1356-4842-a15e-6d610aa8a9ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_8e7e6d95-b886-4a4d-9984-6258444a5e5d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_1327d614-1356-4842-a15e-6d610aa8a9ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_d81e80f8-8d19-4d59-b1ae-d055020dd66b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_1327d614-1356-4842-a15e-6d610aa8a9ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_d81e80f8-8d19-4d59-b1ae-d055020dd66b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrentAndNoncurrent_a4843e1b-5c1a-45c1-a961-0a18f328a2b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_d81e80f8-8d19-4d59-b1ae-d055020dd66b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DueToAffiliateCurrentAndNoncurrent_a4843e1b-5c1a-45c1-a961-0a18f328a2b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_58be1941-f4fa-4d82-b1e9-92fdce1f900d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_d81e80f8-8d19-4d59-b1ae-d055020dd66b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_58be1941-f4fa-4d82-b1e9-92fdce1f900d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_6541ba47-7ef6-4a85-946f-2bf6aabd275e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_d81e80f8-8d19-4d59-b1ae-d055020dd66b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_6541ba47-7ef6-4a85-946f-2bf6aabd275e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_0468ef47-aac9-4aa1-ba5b-4e5705b79b4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_d81e80f8-8d19-4d59-b1ae-d055020dd66b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_0468ef47-aac9-4aa1-ba5b-4e5705b79b4b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_de4bfb78-e1a0-4b76-9736-38b9b8aa9b71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_1327d614-1356-4842-a15e-6d610aa8a9ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_de4bfb78-e1a0-4b76-9736-38b9b8aa9b71" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_7b87c006-2c7d-4572-b17a-55fbf285c4a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_1327d614-1356-4842-a15e-6d610aa8a9ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_7b87c006-2c7d-4572-b17a-55fbf285c4a9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_186eaa5a-6fa5-4a35-8750-d950e4f2c2be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_7b87c006-2c7d-4572-b17a-55fbf285c4a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_186eaa5a-6fa5-4a35-8750-d950e4f2c2be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_ed85171f-707a-436f-b702-9709447bb9b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_7b87c006-2c7d-4572-b17a-55fbf285c4a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_ed85171f-707a-436f-b702-9709447bb9b9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_d76204b5-f5d6-40db-816d-6b8f84ee8d94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_7b87c006-2c7d-4572-b17a-55fbf285c4a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_d76204b5-f5d6-40db-816d-6b8f84ee8d94" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_4a037e1c-5cf6-4d60-b652-7ecb5b754518" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_7b87c006-2c7d-4572-b17a-55fbf285c4a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_4a037e1c-5cf6-4d60-b652-7ecb5b754518" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_0e768755-cbb0-43be-aab3-c7173f6a7a60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_7b87c006-2c7d-4572-b17a-55fbf285c4a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_0e768755-cbb0-43be-aab3-c7173f6a7a60" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_46ddecd3-068e-42f1-9185-3ecb4e3faa0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_1327d614-1356-4842-a15e-6d610aa8a9ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_46ddecd3-068e-42f1-9185-3ecb4e3faa0c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_bf09de80-7df9-4c43-96b0-1776e3f51746" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_8e7e6d95-b886-4a4d-9984-6258444a5e5d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_bf09de80-7df9-4c43-96b0-1776e3f51746" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_8b3b51ad-b7d5-44b8-a3a6-66c37a41a2e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_8e7e6d95-b886-4a4d-9984-6258444a5e5d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_8b3b51ad-b7d5-44b8-a3a6-66c37a41a2e8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable_109634ae-264c-4273-8271-d2993c5da4dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_8e7e6d95-b886-4a4d-9984-6258444a5e5d" xlink:to="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable_109634ae-264c-4273-8271-d2993c5da4dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_fa730a31-f24a-49a0-b3b2-c09accae4b30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable_109634ae-264c-4273-8271-d2993c5da4dd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_fa730a31-f24a-49a0-b3b2-c09accae4b30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa730a31-f24a-49a0-b3b2-c09accae4b30_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_fa730a31-f24a-49a0-b3b2-c09accae4b30" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fa730a31-f24a-49a0-b3b2-c09accae4b30_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_c1c5164d-8be4-43e2-b6d4-1b7aa16e6066" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_fa730a31-f24a-49a0-b3b2-c09accae4b30" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_c1c5164d-8be4-43e2-b6d4-1b7aa16e6066" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_00333167-75ee-47ab-aca2-9e540b0817d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ParentCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_c1c5164d-8be4-43e2-b6d4-1b7aa16e6066" xlink:to="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_00333167-75ee-47ab-aca2-9e540b0817d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_060285b0-b84b-4f39-ae2b-a567ab6258f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable_109634ae-264c-4273-8271-d2993c5da4dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_060285b0-b84b-4f39-ae2b-a567ab6258f7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_060285b0-b84b-4f39-ae2b-a567ab6258f7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_060285b0-b84b-4f39-ae2b-a567ab6258f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_060285b0-b84b-4f39-ae2b-a567ab6258f7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_a62dbc77-e642-485a-a2bf-c7dbca0f2b7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_060285b0-b84b-4f39-ae2b-a567ab6258f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_a62dbc77-e642-485a-a2bf-c7dbca0f2b7e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_af7bdb81-a167-4842-9f6a-8d22a377f2b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_a62dbc77-e642-485a-a2bf-c7dbca0f2b7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember_af7bdb81-a167-4842-9f6a-8d22a377f2b5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_5bfe1e2f-fca7-437a-a288-1ad7e6d2b619" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_a62dbc77-e642-485a-a2bf-c7dbca0f2b7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_5bfe1e2f-fca7-437a-a288-1ad7e6d2b619" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i3558c2dd6ee9414bba9680d734676d1c_ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_4d00ef6d-8658-45c4-a85f-d3f7da0e6644" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_49df69e0-117d-4118-ae17-631a812935b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_4d00ef6d-8658-45c4-a85f-d3f7da0e6644" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_49df69e0-117d-4118-ae17-631a812935b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_1da85b39-ee2d-4cea-b78b-9d30bef453aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_49df69e0-117d-4118-ae17-631a812935b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_1da85b39-ee2d-4cea-b78b-9d30bef453aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_54ba05fa-dcde-4aab-a7d6-c54a4b6e9797" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_49df69e0-117d-4118-ae17-631a812935b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_54ba05fa-dcde-4aab-a7d6-c54a4b6e9797" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties_8bda81c7-7443-410e-895e-0ee23f273742" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_49df69e0-117d-4118-ae17-631a812935b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties_8bda81c7-7443-410e-895e-0ee23f273742" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_50d6cc50-ccf8-4015-9a85-5b0c15a1ae53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_49df69e0-117d-4118-ae17-631a812935b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_50d6cc50-ccf8-4015-9a85-5b0c15a1ae53" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_f4e2036a-3f0a-49b4-ae98-3725da8fa564" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_4d00ef6d-8658-45c4-a85f-d3f7da0e6644" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_f4e2036a-3f0a-49b4-ae98-3725da8fa564" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty_d730ff63-8bc9-4028-ad81-577ba497e89f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_f4e2036a-3f0a-49b4-ae98-3725da8fa564" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty_d730ff63-8bc9-4028-ad81-577ba497e89f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_d8f420c2-1279-4ec8-aeb8-c708e61ea6fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_f4e2036a-3f0a-49b4-ae98-3725da8fa564" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_d8f420c2-1279-4ec8-aeb8-c708e61ea6fb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_89abe6e6-f58f-4e7e-9513-184a9a434ed5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_f4e2036a-3f0a-49b4-ae98-3725da8fa564" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_89abe6e6-f58f-4e7e-9513-184a9a434ed5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_c16bbf9e-de8e-40a2-8761-817820ba9597" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_f4e2036a-3f0a-49b4-ae98-3725da8fa564" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_c16bbf9e-de8e-40a2-8761-817820ba9597" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_53a78d0d-69fb-42a1-a8fd-4d9bb40a71f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_4d00ef6d-8658-45c4-a85f-d3f7da0e6644" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_53a78d0d-69fb-42a1-a8fd-4d9bb40a71f8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_3d015556-aef7-4c36-9dfd-3b0ee1678244" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_4d00ef6d-8658-45c4-a85f-d3f7da0e6644" xlink:to="loc_esnt_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_3d015556-aef7-4c36-9dfd-3b0ee1678244" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromSubsidiariesNetOfTax_fd619cbb-1f17-4a05-b37b-8b69c425ba5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromSubsidiariesNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_4d00ef6d-8658-45c4-a85f-d3f7da0e6644" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromSubsidiariesNetOfTax_fd619cbb-1f17-4a05-b37b-8b69c425ba5e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_f05cf73e-5037-4916-adb8-e7605edc935c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_4d00ef6d-8658-45c4-a85f-d3f7da0e6644" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_f05cf73e-5037-4916-adb8-e7605edc935c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_8523ec2f-19a5-4bff-8b84-e26eb74bd2da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_4d00ef6d-8658-45c4-a85f-d3f7da0e6644" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_8523ec2f-19a5-4bff-8b84-e26eb74bd2da" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_1f5f2235-8eab-4f00-947a-b9a23b0a3fe0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_8523ec2f-19a5-4bff-8b84-e26eb74bd2da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_1f5f2235-8eab-4f00-947a-b9a23b0a3fe0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_8af0a380-8307-4658-92d6-055c6cf9f0e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParentAbstract_8523ec2f-19a5-4bff-8b84-e26eb74bd2da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_8af0a380-8307-4658-92d6-055c6cf9f0e3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_9fb084f6-9814-4baa-a95b-7f15683c2f6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_4d00ef6d-8658-45c4-a85f-d3f7da0e6644" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_9fb084f6-9814-4baa-a95b-7f15683c2f6f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesTaxPortionAttributableToParent_9aaf9197-1f1b-4618-ae6a-e2b3ce1a5c3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_4d00ef6d-8658-45c4-a85f-d3f7da0e6644" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableforsaleSecuritiesTaxPortionAttributableToParent_9aaf9197-1f1b-4618-ae6a-e2b3ce1a5c3d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementTable_9e3e80d8-ee34-4762-9a6e-0631ad5f42c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CondensedIncomeStatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_4d00ef6d-8658-45c4-a85f-d3f7da0e6644" xlink:to="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementTable_9e3e80d8-ee34-4762-9a6e-0631ad5f42c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_bd05d818-b936-4c68-8a75-c35816bc3420" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementTable_9e3e80d8-ee34-4762-9a6e-0631ad5f42c9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_bd05d818-b936-4c68-8a75-c35816bc3420" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_bd05d818-b936-4c68-8a75-c35816bc3420_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_bd05d818-b936-4c68-8a75-c35816bc3420" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_bd05d818-b936-4c68-8a75-c35816bc3420_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_3f20ca8e-60fa-4887-b8e8-839f23d46003" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_bd05d818-b936-4c68-8a75-c35816bc3420" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_3f20ca8e-60fa-4887-b8e8-839f23d46003" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_b8564120-f2e8-406e-8ca9-55289e67a4ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ParentCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_3f20ca8e-60fa-4887-b8e8-839f23d46003" xlink:to="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_b8564120-f2e8-406e-8ca9-55289e67a4ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedStatementsofCashFlowsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedStatementsofCashFlowsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedStatementsofCashFlowsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i809c84fdb03e4857a8bf27ed0f5bbb53_ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantCondensedStatementsofCashFlowsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_019dc510-fcf0-4732-bc03-8f31188c2364" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_0ce4f29a-9571-4d64-acdc-d0516bc93868" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_019dc510-fcf0-4732-bc03-8f31188c2364" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_0ce4f29a-9571-4d64-acdc-d0516bc93868" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_9ca1d39c-8112-4499-8e9d-baa90b2ddbfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_0ce4f29a-9571-4d64-acdc-d0516bc93868" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_9ca1d39c-8112-4499-8e9d-baa90b2ddbfe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_cf0078f3-6da3-452b-89e8-54757110e3e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_0ce4f29a-9571-4d64-acdc-d0516bc93868" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_cf0078f3-6da3-452b-89e8-54757110e3e0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromSubsidiariesNetOfTax_120d56d0-dda8-4a12-bc1c-8664734067ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromSubsidiariesNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_cf0078f3-6da3-452b-89e8-54757110e3e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromSubsidiariesNetOfTax_120d56d0-dda8-4a12-bc1c-8664734067ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_c9a482ba-6d47-4baf-8db9-a2ad9391d3a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_cf0078f3-6da3-452b-89e8-54757110e3e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_c9a482ba-6d47-4baf-8db9-a2ad9391d3a1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_77adf837-20ca-4d42-a645-d6c1981053b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_cf0078f3-6da3-452b-89e8-54757110e3e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_77adf837-20ca-4d42-a645-d6c1981053b4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeAmortizationOfPremium_4bece9a7-c001-4ac8-9ad3-9090aa33e9a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeAmortizationOfPremium"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_cf0078f3-6da3-452b-89e8-54757110e3e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeAmortizationOfPremium_4bece9a7-c001-4ac8-9ad3-9090aa33e9a0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_8399487c-00f2-44b6-9ff5-0e4fb40ac09d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_cf0078f3-6da3-452b-89e8-54757110e3e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_8399487c-00f2-44b6-9ff5-0e4fb40ac09d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets_c8a6fd1b-1fa7-4c79-b52b-1fbc9f3b14a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_8399487c-00f2-44b6-9ff5-0e4fb40ac09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets_c8a6fd1b-1fa7-4c79-b52b-1fbc9f3b14a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities_c199df6d-1c0a-41d7-9029-2f5d760f4e55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_8399487c-00f2-44b6-9ff5-0e4fb40ac09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities_c199df6d-1c0a-41d7-9029-2f5d760f4e55" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_e77a7562-7ab4-42c9-a487-e382115dad93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_0ce4f29a-9571-4d64-acdc-d0516bc93868" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_e77a7562-7ab4-42c9-a487-e382115dad93" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_454b4609-3b14-41c1-a465-482014a38af4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_019dc510-fcf0-4732-bc03-8f31188c2364" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_454b4609-3b14-41c1-a465-482014a38af4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromShortTermInvestments_87d6a0c2-57ed-48e7-8e5a-aa82e470e489" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromShortTermInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_454b4609-3b14-41c1-a465-482014a38af4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromShortTermInvestments_87d6a0c2-57ed-48e7-8e5a-aa82e470e489" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_f29288d6-6b1d-4691-a9f2-2edd24b479b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_454b4609-3b14-41c1-a465-482014a38af4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_f29288d6-6b1d-4691-a9f2-2edd24b479b7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt_a55eb0b9-bb9e-4663-a703-308086dcdddd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_454b4609-3b14-41c1-a465-482014a38af4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt_a55eb0b9-bb9e-4663-a703-308086dcdddd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities_550dff87-ed8e-4b94-86f2-37bceb60316b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_454b4609-3b14-41c1-a465-482014a38af4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities_550dff87-ed8e-4b94-86f2-37bceb60316b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt_f78d37b5-2af4-4a7f-b94e-411626a0a0c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_454b4609-3b14-41c1-a465-482014a38af4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt_f78d37b5-2af4-4a7f-b94e-411626a0a0c4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_ab771216-d37b-40f5-9e36-0a186395fc31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_454b4609-3b14-41c1-a465-482014a38af4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_ab771216-d37b-40f5-9e36-0a186395fc31" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_c677f958-2bed-4e1d-9979-e9836cd2ca5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_019dc510-fcf0-4732-bc03-8f31188c2364" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_c677f958-2bed-4e1d-9979-e9836cd2ca5f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_6dce0b34-a3b3-40c9-a2b8-d776d53da4c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_c677f958-2bed-4e1d-9979-e9836cd2ca5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_6dce0b34-a3b3-40c9-a2b8-d776d53da4c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLongTermLinesOfCredit_0052fece-7e9e-49a9-a28d-226c9ffdc585" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromLongTermLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_c677f958-2bed-4e1d-9979-e9836cd2ca5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLongTermLinesOfCredit_0052fece-7e9e-49a9-a28d-226c9ffdc585" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_14df0939-21e6-477e-b283-79eadadbe8e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_c677f958-2bed-4e1d-9979-e9836cd2ca5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_14df0939-21e6-477e-b283-79eadadbe8e5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_b49e5436-18fd-4c4a-ace9-04661ecb7ebf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_c677f958-2bed-4e1d-9979-e9836cd2ca5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_b49e5436-18fd-4c4a-ace9-04661ecb7ebf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts_b91319ff-1fe7-48b8-85fd-7c9cbb3df998" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_c677f958-2bed-4e1d-9979-e9836cd2ca5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts_b91319ff-1fe7-48b8-85fd-7c9cbb3df998" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_958ea2c1-3184-4b4a-affd-7f03f8fff701" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_c677f958-2bed-4e1d-9979-e9836cd2ca5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_958ea2c1-3184-4b4a-affd-7f03f8fff701" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_a7ab28e6-b078-42b4-a350-6884c1ce4388" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_c677f958-2bed-4e1d-9979-e9836cd2ca5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_a7ab28e6-b078-42b4-a350-6884c1ce4388" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_1bc53b2a-024e-4d31-b2a3-5d9e2f113542" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_019dc510-fcf0-4732-bc03-8f31188c2364" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_1bc53b2a-024e-4d31-b2a3-5d9e2f113542" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_9f942e5c-803b-4bf7-a8f4-3b28dad94521" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_019dc510-fcf0-4732-bc03-8f31188c2364" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_9f942e5c-803b-4bf7-a8f4-3b28dad94521" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_c9c57ccd-69f0-4c7e-a2e9-4d7386344f2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_959b7ba7-3c54-46fa-bbaf-a0abbf4bac68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_019dc510-fcf0-4732-bc03-8f31188c2364" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_959b7ba7-3c54-46fa-bbaf-a0abbf4bac68" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_a01adae9-a93f-43a7-b5a5-8aae859fe2df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPaidNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_959b7ba7-3c54-46fa-bbaf-a0abbf4bac68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_a01adae9-a93f-43a7-b5a5-8aae859fe2df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashInvestingAndFinancingItemsAbstract_5ce93c02-b4ae-4919-9d31-72fb526bfb64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashInvestingAndFinancingItemsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_019dc510-fcf0-4732-bc03-8f31188c2364" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashInvestingAndFinancingItemsAbstract_5ce93c02-b4ae-4919-9d31-72fb526bfb64" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_RepaymentOfBorrowingWithProceedsFromDebt_c4e6b7c7-efa0-4f26-8a4a-1ab4b94aad74" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_RepaymentOfBorrowingWithProceedsFromDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashInvestingAndFinancingItemsAbstract_5ce93c02-b4ae-4919-9d31-72fb526bfb64" xlink:to="loc_esnt_RepaymentOfBorrowingWithProceedsFromDebt_c4e6b7c7-efa0-4f26-8a4a-1ab4b94aad74" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_f949a16d-abe2-499b-aaa1-efcf63a189d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_019dc510-fcf0-4732-bc03-8f31188c2364" xlink:to="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_f949a16d-abe2-499b-aaa1-efcf63a189d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ed26042e-25d5-4f28-9640-3bd188b9dd1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_f949a16d-abe2-499b-aaa1-efcf63a189d9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ed26042e-25d5-4f28-9640-3bd188b9dd1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_ed26042e-25d5-4f28-9640-3bd188b9dd1a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ed26042e-25d5-4f28-9640-3bd188b9dd1a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_ed26042e-25d5-4f28-9640-3bd188b9dd1a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_6cfd5360-94c9-4fdc-9963-1f1a2b770dea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ed26042e-25d5-4f28-9640-3bd188b9dd1a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_6cfd5360-94c9-4fdc-9963-1f1a2b770dea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_b1e8e03b-a8fd-4762-8091-faff4e23f4ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ParentCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_6cfd5360-94c9-4fdc-9963-1f1a2b770dea" xlink:to="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_b1e8e03b-a8fd-4762-8091-faff4e23f4ae" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantSupplementaryNotesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantSupplementaryNotesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essentgroup.com/role/ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantSupplementaryNotesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if15c7d27ac1f4e3f9e45f5e0ba0037f3_ScheduleIICondensedFinancialInformationofRegistrantSupplementaryNotesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_67fce771-a166-4910-b4e1-d696d825e729" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendPaymentsRestrictionsScheduleStatutoryCapitalAndSurplus1_4fa81bf5-6623-491f-99dc-e00c29d6cb80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DividendPaymentsRestrictionsScheduleStatutoryCapitalAndSurplus1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_67fce771-a166-4910-b4e1-d696d825e729" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendPaymentsRestrictionsScheduleStatutoryCapitalAndSurplus1_4fa81bf5-6623-491f-99dc-e00c29d6cb80" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmountAvailableForDividendDistributionWithoutAffectingCapitalAdequacyRequirements_7a979dce-344a-4ef0-a534-67c1565dba97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AmountAvailableForDividendDistributionWithoutAffectingCapitalAdequacyRequirements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_67fce771-a166-4910-b4e1-d696d825e729" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmountAvailableForDividendDistributionWithoutAffectingCapitalAdequacyRequirements_7a979dce-344a-4ef0-a534-67c1565dba97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries_a112de1a-9b57-4446-a470-ec469645660a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_67fce771-a166-4910-b4e1-d696d825e729" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompanyByConsolidatedSubsidiaries_a112de1a-9b57-4446-a470-ec469645660a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_36ebce41-3b20-4468-9df5-1311fea557b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems_67fce771-a166-4910-b4e1-d696d825e729" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_36ebce41-3b20-4468-9df5-1311fea557b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_4c883bb2-5ced-4ef1-96ac-e89c7664be94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_36ebce41-3b20-4468-9df5-1311fea557b1" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_4c883bb2-5ced-4ef1-96ac-e89c7664be94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_4c883bb2-5ced-4ef1-96ac-e89c7664be94_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_4c883bb2-5ced-4ef1-96ac-e89c7664be94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_4c883bb2-5ced-4ef1-96ac-e89c7664be94_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_013fb55e-20c3-4f6d-8521-cf1419670cc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_4c883bb2-5ced-4ef1-96ac-e89c7664be94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_013fb55e-20c3-4f6d-8521-cf1419670cc4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_834cb1ce-0938-4691-a83c-e5ce7f613010" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_013fb55e-20c3-4f6d-8521-cf1419670cc4" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentGuarantyIncMember_834cb1ce-0938-4691-a83c-e5ce7f613010" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_bffb69f9-b9ef-4096-a2d9-c70899266273" xlink:href="esnt-20221231.xsd#esnt_EssentPAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_013fb55e-20c3-4f6d-8521-cf1419670cc4" xlink:to="loc_esnt_EssentPAMember_bffb69f9-b9ef-4096-a2d9-c70899266273" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5fb45efb-ff0d-4fb6-9545-4badbd003a8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_36ebce41-3b20-4468-9df5-1311fea557b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5fb45efb-ff0d-4fb6-9545-4badbd003a8a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_5fb45efb-ff0d-4fb6-9545-4badbd003a8a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5fb45efb-ff0d-4fb6-9545-4badbd003a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_5fb45efb-ff0d-4fb6-9545-4badbd003a8a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8cce36aa-6edf-486d-b6f9-a5fb1ecf6717" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5fb45efb-ff0d-4fb6-9545-4badbd003a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8cce36aa-6edf-486d-b6f9-a5fb1ecf6717" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_a41f9dfd-797b-4684-979c-0358b9b834db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_AffiliatedEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8cce36aa-6edf-486d-b6f9-a5fb1ecf6717" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_a41f9dfd-797b-4684-979c-0358b9b834db" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_2da5e708-207b-46e1-8307-6443e070a888" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable_36ebce41-3b20-4468-9df5-1311fea557b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_2da5e708-207b-46e1-8307-6443e070a888" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_2da5e708-207b-46e1-8307-6443e070a888_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_2da5e708-207b-46e1-8307-6443e070a888" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_2da5e708-207b-46e1-8307-6443e070a888_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_26596b6d-b004-4241-ac70-7287f3b46515" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_2da5e708-207b-46e1-8307-6443e070a888" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_26596b6d-b004-4241-ac70-7287f3b46515" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_52b1d94e-eedb-454e-a622-2b8d1698c9e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_26596b6d-b004-4241-ac70-7287f3b46515" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_52b1d94e-eedb-454e-a622-2b8d1698c9e8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-roles-2022.xsd#eedm"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
