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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2021 Workiva-->
<!--r:7534436a-e1bf-4460-b084-c9567258ffaa,g:3720818e-d475-4557-86fe-88bdac072d9b-->
<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.viperenergy.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#Cover"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="extended" id="i77d8c3f34a6a4441be86bef1cd0f8903_Cover">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_e72efb57-fdae-4a4d-9c8f-dd0405f966d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_e72efb57-fdae-4a4d-9c8f-dd0405f966d8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_ce076634-4a48-4ccc-a026-dc0ae0d23706" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_ce076634-4a48-4ccc-a026-dc0ae0d23706" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_97eda024-0101-46bf-acf9-421f26bd0e42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_97eda024-0101-46bf-acf9-421f26bd0e42" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_920f5345-34aa-4721-ae75-d6275ead0093" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_920f5345-34aa-4721-ae75-d6275ead0093" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_212ad118-fea3-4a50-b308-375c63472d19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_212ad118-fea3-4a50-b308-375c63472d19" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_3d84caac-40ab-4a6b-8893-ce630c46d937" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_3d84caac-40ab-4a6b-8893-ce630c46d937" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_b1a41d68-82d2-441c-93de-be0978ccdaf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_b1a41d68-82d2-441c-93de-be0978ccdaf1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_6a4e1bb6-e4f9-4590-a913-98ca852c5267" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_6a4e1bb6-e4f9-4590-a913-98ca852c5267" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_4fa1f0cc-2703-4985-8295-5d9bd17fc25f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_4fa1f0cc-2703-4985-8295-5d9bd17fc25f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine2_0f4708b7-1152-4c74-94c1-4597efcebc03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine2"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine2_0f4708b7-1152-4c74-94c1-4597efcebc03" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_980c3862-c5c1-4861-a2b1-0a5e894f2ce9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_980c3862-c5c1-4861-a2b1-0a5e894f2ce9" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_eca402d8-b54d-4102-aa3e-80d23ce22e16" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_eca402d8-b54d-4102-aa3e-80d23ce22e16" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_020bc9e4-8340-45da-82f3-cd8928bd6cf5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_020bc9e4-8340-45da-82f3-cd8928bd6cf5" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_277a9c05-b4ed-4082-824a-e1b5fbd4b4ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_277a9c05-b4ed-4082-824a-e1b5fbd4b4ce" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_0ac46a23-2800-47e4-8239-19c95a422792" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_0ac46a23-2800-47e4-8239-19c95a422792" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_9195f775-f4b7-463b-afb7-c8673a2b50cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_9195f775-f4b7-463b-afb7-c8673a2b50cb" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_f46767f3-13e1-4916-97a3-7035a7d83034" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_f46767f3-13e1-4916-97a3-7035a7d83034" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_61506397-fa85-460a-9c1b-63726c680104" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_61506397-fa85-460a-9c1b-63726c680104" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_e1b87a0e-448f-4397-9bd9-afa5eb0bd392" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_e1b87a0e-448f-4397-9bd9-afa5eb0bd392" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_0f012003-d25e-48a6-adc6-3d949dcc8402" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_0f012003-d25e-48a6-adc6-3d949dcc8402" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_9d9ac0ca-39f1-4057-b976-db8aa2f5e06f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_9d9ac0ca-39f1-4057-b976-db8aa2f5e06f" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_fa86c6cf-0146-42b8-aa1b-c842f2ef8179" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_fa86c6cf-0146-42b8-aa1b-c842f2ef8179" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_5b580c0d-5a3b-42ba-a709-728ed31ed30d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_5b580c0d-5a3b-42ba-a709-728ed31ed30d" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_1e045d9e-80ed-47c6-9cba-b5bef25b8721" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_1e045d9e-80ed-47c6-9cba-b5bef25b8721" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_29d000e1-a50f-44ba-9265-2bf74266fac0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_29d000e1-a50f-44ba-9265-2bf74266fac0" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding_905fdece-79c8-4534-8dea-41f387d31bac" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding_905fdece-79c8-4534-8dea-41f387d31bac" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_d1d071a1-8635-4a3d-b32c-040da89211f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_d1d071a1-8635-4a3d-b32c-040da89211f3" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_9d03f43f-067a-4449-85ec-397902f1d0d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_9d03f43f-067a-4449-85ec-397902f1d0d7" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_b6bc8bc1-e10c-4108-8393-34267f45dde4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_b6bc8bc1-e10c-4108-8393-34267f45dde4" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_85908cb6-41ed-4ee0-9162-84dbf366cb08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_85908cb6-41ed-4ee0-9162-84dbf366cb08" xlink:type="arc" order="29"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_a710e033-55d6-4e1d-a7b1-8cbae7763524" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_a710e033-55d6-4e1d-a7b1-8cbae7763524" xlink:type="arc" order="30"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_723bc6ff-9afd-44a2-8ae4-e350cfba4ab4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_1dd84fc2-356a-41c5-8f63-a60b7683da94" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_723bc6ff-9afd-44a2-8ae4-e350cfba4ab4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_88791ceb-744b-44bd-b9cb-c6c1aa834e27" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_723bc6ff-9afd-44a2-8ae4-e350cfba4ab4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_88791ceb-744b-44bd-b9cb-c6c1aa834e27" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_88791ceb-744b-44bd-b9cb-c6c1aa834e27_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_88791ceb-744b-44bd-b9cb-c6c1aa834e27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_88791ceb-744b-44bd-b9cb-c6c1aa834e27_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_eed294b5-5e4c-4c1a-b99b-11d33ad63f67" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_88791ceb-744b-44bd-b9cb-c6c1aa834e27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_eed294b5-5e4c-4c1a-b99b-11d33ad63f67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_ClassBUnitsMember_66a09cc4-bd52-4eb8-b9db-94b842cdfc8e" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_ClassBUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_eed294b5-5e4c-4c1a-b99b-11d33ad63f67" xlink:to="loc_vnom_ClassBUnitsMember_66a09cc4-bd52-4eb8-b9db-94b842cdfc8e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i80912bb6451845a6ada6170d114adb49_CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" id="i139bc75f518548f39252b48716645548_CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_766f5705-e366-4bba-9725-dd4e88789943" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortizationCumulative_0f425003-f693-4560-b245-9099935aed38" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortizationCumulative"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_766f5705-e366-4bba-9725-dd4e88789943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortizationCumulative_0f425003-f693-4560-b245-9099935aed38" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsIssued_bdc0a0cf-4be9-4ab1-a163-21ad8bb07527" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_766f5705-e366-4bba-9725-dd4e88789943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsIssued_bdc0a0cf-4be9-4ab1-a163-21ad8bb07527" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding_46eb144b-0216-452a-b789-d5a16455486f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_766f5705-e366-4bba-9725-dd4e88789943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding_46eb144b-0216-452a-b789-d5a16455486f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_52c0d170-8315-4400-8d32-632fe0ce72d1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_766f5705-e366-4bba-9725-dd4e88789943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_52c0d170-8315-4400-8d32-632fe0ce72d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_0f2752ce-b8c0-4053-8266-295dcb6d5d80" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_52c0d170-8315-4400-8d32-632fe0ce72d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_0f2752ce-b8c0-4053-8266-295dcb6d5d80" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_0f2752ce-b8c0-4053-8266-295dcb6d5d80_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_0f2752ce-b8c0-4053-8266-295dcb6d5d80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_0f2752ce-b8c0-4053-8266-295dcb6d5d80_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_cb8fbf62-b251-4e0e-a381-f66c8e2d35ed" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_0f2752ce-b8c0-4053-8266-295dcb6d5d80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_cb8fbf62-b251-4e0e-a381-f66c8e2d35ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_31dbcb3c-c1fc-412b-943b-e921fbd87867" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_cb8fbf62-b251-4e0e-a381-f66c8e2d35ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_31dbcb3c-c1fc-412b-943b-e921fbd87867" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_ClassBUnitsMember_6f409c7b-9ab5-4664-a552-a570dcc34c1d" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_ClassBUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_cb8fbf62-b251-4e0e-a381-f66c8e2d35ed" xlink:to="loc_vnom_ClassBUnitsMember_6f409c7b-9ab5-4664-a552-a570dcc34c1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i8b000bdbf6184d42b4ea790558c62581_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsUnaudited"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofChangestoUnitholdersEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofChangestoUnitholdersEquityUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofChangestoUnitholdersEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i7e41e402db144b32b48e8c4bd1941173_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofChangestoUnitholdersEquityUnaudited">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d8ddd552-4cc5-42a1-b814-f7362051841d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d8ddd552-4cc5-42a1-b814-f7362051841d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_e88e36bd-90aa-405b-b05a-015d2684b97c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_e88e36bd-90aa-405b-b05a-015d2684b97c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_93f2347f-ee0c-4060-a370-a52697c2e2cb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_93f2347f-ee0c-4060-a370-a52697c2e2cb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitBasedCompensation_f26eba96-2a3a-4955-9f75-bdaccd1f4626" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitBasedCompensation_f26eba96-2a3a-4955-9f75-bdaccd1f4626" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_a903d5f6-cceb-4a0e-b7a5-a0419ad396b1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_a903d5f6-cceb-4a0e-b7a5-a0419ad396b1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionEquivalentRightsPayments_45cae769-29cb-4d15-b570-8ba27a997fa8" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionEquivalentRightsPayments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_vnom_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionEquivalentRightsPayments_45cae769-29cb-4d15-b570-8ba27a997fa8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_06b6e27a-6120-4014-9625-7bd9b2282ffe" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_06b6e27a-6120-4014-9625-7bd9b2282ffe" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_Vnom_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmountRelatedParty_fe0fb028-eeaf-4881-ba59-f19b4fb71696" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_Vnom_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmountRelatedParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_vnom_Vnom_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmountRelatedParty_fe0fb028-eeaf-4881-ba59-f19b4fb71696" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_859fa497-fc79-4f92-8a8b-abe6f93280ba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_859fa497-fc79-4f92-8a8b-abe6f93280ba" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesNet_ae7e98c4-3254-4e91-863a-ea5a984aed92" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesNet_ae7e98c4-3254-4e91-863a-ea5a984aed92" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_e89f347b-78a0-4f2a-a1f9-14c2dac170bd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_e89f347b-78a0-4f2a-a1f9-14c2dac170bd" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_ec09041d-1203-4bda-af87-57b527a9ff8e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_ec09041d-1203-4bda-af87-57b527a9ff8e" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_3e15a889-12d4-4418-964d-4c649f44e76c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_3e15a889-12d4-4418-964d-4c649f44e76c" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_25ae25f6-347f-4dc7-8fec-5c8ecbaf1117" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_4f09a74a-1094-4b07-8a02-d84dc79d9a0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_25ae25f6-347f-4dc7-8fec-5c8ecbaf1117" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_472c2047-1f48-44e2-bfee-17ffdc5aa9f2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_c78fe427-1222-4aa9-8da8-0f2bbe250f05" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_852409a5-4b31-48da-a744-c69b88662137" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_d8ddd552-4cc5-42a1-b814-f7362051841d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_852409a5-4b31-48da-a744-c69b88662137" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3593cf9b-d45d-4b59-bebd-4a2f8ee6b315" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_852409a5-4b31-48da-a744-c69b88662137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3593cf9b-d45d-4b59-bebd-4a2f8ee6b315" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3593cf9b-d45d-4b59-bebd-4a2f8ee6b315_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3593cf9b-d45d-4b59-bebd-4a2f8ee6b315" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3593cf9b-d45d-4b59-bebd-4a2f8ee6b315_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5cd18636-9484-4579-aa73-b51bf1782fc8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3593cf9b-d45d-4b59-bebd-4a2f8ee6b315" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5cd18636-9484-4579-aa73-b51bf1782fc8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_4dea88d6-899d-461b-be6f-01a4f443e45a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5cd18636-9484-4579-aa73-b51bf1782fc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_4dea88d6-899d-461b-be6f-01a4f443e45a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MemberUnitsMember_054be9cc-d9e0-49c3-8e26-456b610ff086" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MemberUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5cd18636-9484-4579-aa73-b51bf1782fc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MemberUnitsMember_054be9cc-d9e0-49c3-8e26-456b610ff086" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_764d13d3-5260-4ff3-9039-d64d3499ae58" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_852409a5-4b31-48da-a744-c69b88662137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_764d13d3-5260-4ff3-9039-d64d3499ae58" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_764d13d3-5260-4ff3-9039-d64d3499ae58_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_764d13d3-5260-4ff3-9039-d64d3499ae58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_764d13d3-5260-4ff3-9039-d64d3499ae58_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_f4e1ec8a-be25-4ba4-a29b-8f2a63f1771a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_764d13d3-5260-4ff3-9039-d64d3499ae58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_f4e1ec8a-be25-4ba4-a29b-8f2a63f1771a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_e07da2ad-cb83-409c-8fd7-884e7de2576d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_f4e1ec8a-be25-4ba4-a29b-8f2a63f1771a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_e07da2ad-cb83-409c-8fd7-884e7de2576d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_24fac9cb-4e98-4042-b0a9-b31dc993acaa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_f4e1ec8a-be25-4ba4-a29b-8f2a63f1771a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_24fac9cb-4e98-4042-b0a9-b31dc993acaa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestMember_91cd3659-d130-468b-8c6a-4fb65b554115" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_f4e1ec8a-be25-4ba4-a29b-8f2a63f1771a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherOwnershipInterestMember_91cd3659-d130-468b-8c6a-4fb65b554115" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i08411c3593e346f19133ca526534512b_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATION" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATION"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATION" xlink:type="extended" id="ic714c313e759458dbf2e72128883e277_ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATION"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATIONDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATIONDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATIONDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iaf0c3a8ba5b94acd8c06a1a0255de0a6_ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATIONDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_58a5cb44-eb45-4777-8593-c72bf328ca08" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPManagingMemberOrGeneralPartnerOwnershipInterest_e56989aa-1c61-4402-bba0-407041f9af4d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPManagingMemberOrGeneralPartnerOwnershipInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_58a5cb44-eb45-4777-8593-c72bf328ca08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPManagingMemberOrGeneralPartnerOwnershipInterest_e56989aa-1c61-4402-bba0-407041f9af4d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_223dbf9f-d8d2-496f-b114-3305295e2de0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_58a5cb44-eb45-4777-8593-c72bf328ca08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_223dbf9f-d8d2-496f-b114-3305295e2de0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_a1a74410-f130-4aa8-a865-da7ef4141674" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_58a5cb44-eb45-4777-8593-c72bf328ca08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_a1a74410-f130-4aa8-a865-da7ef4141674" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_a4b63e54-f13f-471e-9d2e-6703dd397bad" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_58a5cb44-eb45-4777-8593-c72bf328ca08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_a4b63e54-f13f-471e-9d2e-6703dd397bad" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_49d63fc9-4bb3-4be5-9062-a50fa6909092" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_a4b63e54-f13f-471e-9d2e-6703dd397bad" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_49d63fc9-4bb3-4be5-9062-a50fa6909092" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_49d63fc9-4bb3-4be5-9062-a50fa6909092_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_49d63fc9-4bb3-4be5-9062-a50fa6909092" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_49d63fc9-4bb3-4be5-9062-a50fa6909092_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_9f775ac1-0b57-4d23-bc0d-97655f484710" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_49d63fc9-4bb3-4be5-9062-a50fa6909092" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_9f775ac1-0b57-4d23-bc0d-97655f484710" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_ViperEnergyPartnersLPMember_8baf18a7-52fb-4d25-9b1d-e1e7804a5c72" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_ViperEnergyPartnersLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_9f775ac1-0b57-4d23-bc0d-97655f484710" xlink:to="loc_vnom_ViperEnergyPartnersLPMember_8baf18a7-52fb-4d25-9b1d-e1e7804a5c72" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_8a1a046d-1dbd-4051-b1ab-a25d89551d97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_a4b63e54-f13f-471e-9d2e-6703dd397bad" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_8a1a046d-1dbd-4051-b1ab-a25d89551d97" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8a1a046d-1dbd-4051-b1ab-a25d89551d97_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_8a1a046d-1dbd-4051-b1ab-a25d89551d97" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_8a1a046d-1dbd-4051-b1ab-a25d89551d97_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_16f37768-38ba-4da5-98cb-cc0d3adf163d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_8a1a046d-1dbd-4051-b1ab-a25d89551d97" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_16f37768-38ba-4da5-98cb-cc0d3adf163d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member_f93f4f11-af30-4e25-b922-1f4890bbcee9" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_16f37768-38ba-4da5-98cb-cc0d3adf163d" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member_f93f4f11-af30-4e25-b922-1f4890bbcee9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/OrganizationConsolidationandPresentationofFinancialStatementsPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#OrganizationConsolidationandPresentationofFinancialStatementsPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/OrganizationConsolidationandPresentationofFinancialStatementsPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="idfaa999a277246c482f4130cf479aed5_OrganizationConsolidationandPresentationofFinancialStatementsPolicies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES" xlink:type="extended" id="id1fc8f8c21fe44f8bdcda0ee4a3519e2_SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIES"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="i31d30d4f961349918ff23f5dad139f17_SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESPolicies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ia0d22749b3ed446190ad30168ffe9cab_SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAccruedLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAccruedLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAccruedLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib9ebc0b7513746e98a9007a64b246bb8_SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAccruedLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERS" xlink:type="extended" id="iafbd7a17344c4f9c8c9c8d4d060951f1_REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERS"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i606b2da444bc4a37be1a39df3897547a_REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i81dad6568ce041779e9926f06ede9ff6_REVENUEFROMCONTRACTSWITHCUSTOMERSDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_86ce4b79-091a-47b5-8736-d973b8395b61" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_d64ead03-eb7e-4134-b7b5-9639487dc407" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_86ce4b79-091a-47b5-8736-d973b8395b61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_d64ead03-eb7e-4134-b7b5-9639487dc407" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_c559fe7f-7455-4904-ac94-a1c3e5d485cc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_86ce4b79-091a-47b5-8736-d973b8395b61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_c559fe7f-7455-4904-ac94-a1c3e5d485cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3c2f6e2c-7d78-4d6b-b2fb-bbdf49013669" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_c559fe7f-7455-4904-ac94-a1c3e5d485cc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3c2f6e2c-7d78-4d6b-b2fb-bbdf49013669" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3c2f6e2c-7d78-4d6b-b2fb-bbdf49013669_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3c2f6e2c-7d78-4d6b-b2fb-bbdf49013669" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3c2f6e2c-7d78-4d6b-b2fb-bbdf49013669_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d3e59ac0-7bbf-43dd-a1f4-3efb4ad5eee8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3c2f6e2c-7d78-4d6b-b2fb-bbdf49013669" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d3e59ac0-7bbf-43dd-a1f4-3efb4ad5eee8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_OilIncomeMember_8b8e096b-790e-45b8-84d3-fd8dc1a9733c" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_OilIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d3e59ac0-7bbf-43dd-a1f4-3efb4ad5eee8" xlink:to="loc_vnom_OilIncomeMember_8b8e096b-790e-45b8-84d3-fd8dc1a9733c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_NaturalGasIncomeMember_4e8a80b3-0f4d-4632-9ffe-bbbd463f0928" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_NaturalGasIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d3e59ac0-7bbf-43dd-a1f4-3efb4ad5eee8" xlink:to="loc_vnom_NaturalGasIncomeMember_4e8a80b3-0f4d-4632-9ffe-bbbd463f0928" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_NaturalGasLiquidsIncomeMember_984abe1e-da84-4939-9169-e2588b439eff" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_NaturalGasLiquidsIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d3e59ac0-7bbf-43dd-a1f4-3efb4ad5eee8" xlink:to="loc_vnom_NaturalGasLiquidsIncomeMember_984abe1e-da84-4939-9169-e2588b439eff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/ACQUISITIONS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#ACQUISITIONS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/ACQUISITIONS" xlink:type="extended" id="i455e38832deb4bafbbfc0e0fd0aeecd6_ACQUISITIONS"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/ACQUISITIONS2020ActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#ACQUISITIONS2020ActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/ACQUISITIONS2020ActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idcc72e4a86cd481e94c730245bbfd04d_ACQUISITIONS2020ActivityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_c872aceb-4ea4-4614-b640-498e49bfc976" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_MineralPropertiesAcquiredGrossAcres_c2370cb3-ef21-4d4b-8ca0-f716bfbe1d12" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_MineralPropertiesAcquiredGrossAcres"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_c872aceb-4ea4-4614-b640-498e49bfc976" xlink:to="loc_vnom_MineralPropertiesAcquiredGrossAcres_c2370cb3-ef21-4d4b-8ca0-f716bfbe1d12" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_MineralPropertiesAcquiredNetRoyaltyAcres_445838bf-a484-4e21-afc6-03aaa996a16d" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_MineralPropertiesAcquiredNetRoyaltyAcres"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_c872aceb-4ea4-4614-b640-498e49bfc976" xlink:to="loc_vnom_MineralPropertiesAcquiredNetRoyaltyAcres_445838bf-a484-4e21-afc6-03aaa996a16d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_7b2441f9-8853-4e63-b5a8-844c5ce09ceb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_c872aceb-4ea4-4614-b640-498e49bfc976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_7b2441f9-8853-4e63-b5a8-844c5ce09ceb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_7d568ebd-550e-410d-a658-8cdca0e6e539" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_c872aceb-4ea4-4614-b640-498e49bfc976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_7d568ebd-550e-410d-a658-8cdca0e6e539" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ddb4591f-847d-4844-a2de-77027dd3ee0c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_7d568ebd-550e-410d-a658-8cdca0e6e539" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ddb4591f-847d-4844-a2de-77027dd3ee0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ddb4591f-847d-4844-a2de-77027dd3ee0c_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ddb4591f-847d-4844-a2de-77027dd3ee0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ddb4591f-847d-4844-a2de-77027dd3ee0c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_4802fd65-ba16-4454-923e-29b725ec3f74" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ddb4591f-847d-4844-a2de-77027dd3ee0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_4802fd65-ba16-4454-923e-29b725ec3f74" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_MineralInterestsInPermianBasinMember_76b69868-dd58-49a5-8a32-03bbe0f5ca02" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_MineralInterestsInPermianBasinMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_4802fd65-ba16-4454-923e-29b725ec3f74" xlink:to="loc_vnom_MineralInterestsInPermianBasinMember_76b69868-dd58-49a5-8a32-03bbe0f5ca02" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTS" xlink:type="extended" id="i882e5f8d08834cd398d985609bacbf17_OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTS"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTSTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTSTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTSTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i9f40aa0f81b8401f8cccaeda224354e5_OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTSTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTSDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2dab0f1459e1476eb374a18683db28fa_OILANDNATURALGASINTERESTSDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DEBT" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#DEBT"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DEBT" xlink:type="extended" id="iea5fc57ded184f48873e133e679e4f1e_DEBT"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DEBTTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#DEBTTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DEBTTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ib3dc195865eb4165a1ba4b77738cec83_DEBTTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DEBTScheduleofDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#DEBTScheduleofDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DEBTScheduleofDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i564b85eca4d542ff8475b4ef3a71e77e_DEBTScheduleofDebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f1064995-58a1-470b-8097-5d0d649d1160" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_a841d93f-e6a5-4341-b916-fde528f91683" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f1064995-58a1-470b-8097-5d0d649d1160" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_a841d93f-e6a5-4341-b916-fde528f91683" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_ec0c12be-0f09-4d3f-b036-a672f16d7e2f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f1064995-58a1-470b-8097-5d0d649d1160" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_ec0c12be-0f09-4d3f-b036-a672f16d7e2f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_7cf90249-3a82-485a-90f7-1e085f346c7d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f1064995-58a1-470b-8097-5d0d649d1160" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_7cf90249-3a82-485a-90f7-1e085f346c7d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_89021bb2-d747-41f6-96b6-58e5aa7df3aa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f1064995-58a1-470b-8097-5d0d649d1160" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_89021bb2-d747-41f6-96b6-58e5aa7df3aa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_f6b7af49-0c3a-4c8a-8d93-2ceac6ecfe73" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f1064995-58a1-470b-8097-5d0d649d1160" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_f6b7af49-0c3a-4c8a-8d93-2ceac6ecfe73" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9c9f6ceb-508e-44af-952b-bd78f1fad144" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f1064995-58a1-470b-8097-5d0d649d1160" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9c9f6ceb-508e-44af-952b-bd78f1fad144" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_affc410a-1214-4140-8374-0864d0242c91" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9c9f6ceb-508e-44af-952b-bd78f1fad144" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_affc410a-1214-4140-8374-0864d0242c91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_affc410a-1214-4140-8374-0864d0242c91_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_affc410a-1214-4140-8374-0864d0242c91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_affc410a-1214-4140-8374-0864d0242c91_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f94118f5-db4d-4830-96bf-0963733d6d97" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_affc410a-1214-4140-8374-0864d0242c91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f94118f5-db4d-4830-96bf-0963733d6d97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_A5.375SeniorNotesDue2027Member_a53e510b-2921-4ee6-8271-f1191a0da8b7" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_A5.375SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f94118f5-db4d-4830-96bf-0963733d6d97" xlink:to="loc_vnom_A5.375SeniorNotesDue2027Member_a53e510b-2921-4ee6-8271-f1191a0da8b7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_663c3bf6-afce-4922-a8d8-339874328395" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9c9f6ceb-508e-44af-952b-bd78f1fad144" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_663c3bf6-afce-4922-a8d8-339874328395" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_663c3bf6-afce-4922-a8d8-339874328395_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_663c3bf6-afce-4922-a8d8-339874328395" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_663c3bf6-afce-4922-a8d8-339874328395_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1c55c751-afbe-40d0-9550-78ccbb9aa6ec" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_663c3bf6-afce-4922-a8d8-339874328395" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1c55c751-afbe-40d0-9550-78ccbb9aa6ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_72cb8cf0-6067-470f-bd55-5c75eaedb686" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1c55c751-afbe-40d0-9550-78ccbb9aa6ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_72cb8cf0-6067-470f-bd55-5c75eaedb686" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_754547f0-4b73-4cfd-bf47-a4816e6add6a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9c9f6ceb-508e-44af-952b-bd78f1fad144" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_754547f0-4b73-4cfd-bf47-a4816e6add6a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_754547f0-4b73-4cfd-bf47-a4816e6add6a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_754547f0-4b73-4cfd-bf47-a4816e6add6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_754547f0-4b73-4cfd-bf47-a4816e6add6a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_4d7b56d0-948d-47e2-bdaf-78178e4a08b2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_754547f0-4b73-4cfd-bf47-a4816e6add6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_4d7b56d0-948d-47e2-bdaf-78178e4a08b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_ab6f30dc-b274-417f-b059-7dd90a6ee331" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_4d7b56d0-948d-47e2-bdaf-78178e4a08b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_ab6f30dc-b274-417f-b059-7dd90a6ee331" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DEBTNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#DEBTNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DEBTNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if3bf74c185cc414caf4c6372a44a77b1_DEBTNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_5eea102c-415e-4200-b606-6748f803f32b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_f8122280-9566-446a-80c4-9e74da29f9e1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_5eea102c-415e-4200-b606-6748f803f32b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_f8122280-9566-446a-80c4-9e74da29f9e1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_30abef5d-9332-468c-ad6d-0ea6cdfbf7bc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_5eea102c-415e-4200-b606-6748f803f32b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_30abef5d-9332-468c-ad6d-0ea6cdfbf7bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_d0bf406a-96ca-4938-8578-e6c8d92c0773" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_5eea102c-415e-4200-b606-6748f803f32b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_d0bf406a-96ca-4938-8578-e6c8d92c0773" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_aa743f84-2e1c-444b-a808-9b10770a5c27" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_5eea102c-415e-4200-b606-6748f803f32b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_aa743f84-2e1c-444b-a808-9b10770a5c27" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_45380500-6e66-4f9d-a1e2-7af564d478e2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_5eea102c-415e-4200-b606-6748f803f32b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_45380500-6e66-4f9d-a1e2-7af564d478e2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_c46fba8b-45b6-4879-8452-418b48eba691" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_5eea102c-415e-4200-b606-6748f803f32b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_c46fba8b-45b6-4879-8452-418b48eba691" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime_667b871f-a64b-4e9a-8dc2-3446275a2d56" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_5eea102c-415e-4200-b606-6748f803f32b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime_667b871f-a64b-4e9a-8dc2-3446275a2d56" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_a44edffd-dfff-4600-9029-ddb7e29def1a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_5eea102c-415e-4200-b606-6748f803f32b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_a44edffd-dfff-4600-9029-ddb7e29def1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1ac39d07-95f7-444e-9745-01901abe56f1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_a44edffd-dfff-4600-9029-ddb7e29def1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1ac39d07-95f7-444e-9745-01901abe56f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1ac39d07-95f7-444e-9745-01901abe56f1_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1ac39d07-95f7-444e-9745-01901abe56f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1ac39d07-95f7-444e-9745-01901abe56f1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_bde919b4-fee5-4792-95fb-473e12de115b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1ac39d07-95f7-444e-9745-01901abe56f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_bde919b4-fee5-4792-95fb-473e12de115b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_A5.375SeniorNotesDue2027Member_73b0f40b-a4f9-4dbd-a773-a08c1bde8e02" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_A5.375SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_bde919b4-fee5-4792-95fb-473e12de115b" xlink:to="loc_vnom_A5.375SeniorNotesDue2027Member_73b0f40b-a4f9-4dbd-a773-a08c1bde8e02" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_660f86a0-70f0-46b1-8adf-d0c89d49fb17" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_a44edffd-dfff-4600-9029-ddb7e29def1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_660f86a0-70f0-46b1-8adf-d0c89d49fb17" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_660f86a0-70f0-46b1-8adf-d0c89d49fb17_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_660f86a0-70f0-46b1-8adf-d0c89d49fb17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_660f86a0-70f0-46b1-8adf-d0c89d49fb17_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1c00ee6b-61ee-4594-ab10-6744fe1b3524" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_660f86a0-70f0-46b1-8adf-d0c89d49fb17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1c00ee6b-61ee-4594-ab10-6744fe1b3524" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_b3ea613d-d3dc-4b8b-916c-50664a10dbf8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1c00ee6b-61ee-4594-ab10-6744fe1b3524" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_b3ea613d-d3dc-4b8b-916c-50664a10dbf8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ea5a5bd0-1063-4066-acaa-333cf1b6e7b4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_a44edffd-dfff-4600-9029-ddb7e29def1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ea5a5bd0-1063-4066-acaa-333cf1b6e7b4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ea5a5bd0-1063-4066-acaa-333cf1b6e7b4_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ea5a5bd0-1063-4066-acaa-333cf1b6e7b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ea5a5bd0-1063-4066-acaa-333cf1b6e7b4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ff765c2a-8420-4e09-a6ad-495b21c7b310" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ea5a5bd0-1063-4066-acaa-333cf1b6e7b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ff765c2a-8420-4e09-a6ad-495b21c7b310" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_8fb89713-afa7-4d9a-9789-7ab5f7f549a0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ff765c2a-8420-4e09-a6ad-495b21c7b310" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_8fb89713-afa7-4d9a-9789-7ab5f7f549a0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONS" xlink:type="extended" id="i12b5d28ccd7a4be48218fbe54d057715_UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONS"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSTables" xlink:type="extended" id="iccd9ec7d29b24d62bb4e7e7ec7cbbb20_UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="icf18b9165e2348aa848677ba459b9ae6_UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsIssued_9f2faa35-823f-4e36-aace-06dda1b0fb78" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsIssued_9f2faa35-823f-4e36-aace-06dda1b0fb78" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding_ab8d65a7-e076-46e2-9316-6c10d7246463" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding_ab8d65a7-e076-46e2-9316-6c10d7246463" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_24b7c1da-f9e0-496a-a06c-0c08e0210281" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_24b7c1da-f9e0-496a-a06c-0c08e0210281" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners_e7c9b040-bbcb-4803-853e-54e2ab2b069b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners_e7c9b040-bbcb-4803-853e-54e2ab2b069b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesPurchaseOfInterestByParent_5f017a2d-7e2d-4f29-b7b0-802469f89774" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesPurchaseOfInterestByParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesPurchaseOfInterestByParent_5f017a2d-7e2d-4f29-b7b0-802469f89774" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_8e1c2318-be29-4244-b13b-1f8af25c0933" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_8e1c2318-be29-4244-b13b-1f8af25c0933" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_da67456e-475a-40d1-a29a-7390bd0bff5a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_da67456e-475a-40d1-a29a-7390bd0bff5a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_c6559f20-9807-4d43-943e-030224413d28" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_c6559f20-9807-4d43-943e-030224413d28" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DistributionMadetoLimitedPartnerDistributionDatePeriodafterQuarterEnd_5a25a932-786d-46cc-90df-a0f1508a7731" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DistributionMadetoLimitedPartnerDistributionDatePeriodafterQuarterEnd"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DistributionMadetoLimitedPartnerDistributionDatePeriodafterQuarterEnd_5a25a932-786d-46cc-90df-a0f1508a7731" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangeDueToNetIncomeAttributableToParentAndEffectsOfChangesNet_96fdd6bd-f2e5-44a0-8439-e149ecb4f4a3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangeDueToNetIncomeAttributableToParentAndEffectsOfChangesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangeDueToNetIncomeAttributableToParentAndEffectsOfChangesNet_96fdd6bd-f2e5-44a0-8439-e149ecb4f4a3" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3a5470a4-ec65-4fe0-805f-b5085c454adb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_de261b83-0af9-46f6-bbeb-af624889f915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3a5470a4-ec65-4fe0-805f-b5085c454adb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_a095085a-0439-43e1-80ba-eafb040a0130" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3a5470a4-ec65-4fe0-805f-b5085c454adb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_a095085a-0439-43e1-80ba-eafb040a0130" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_a095085a-0439-43e1-80ba-eafb040a0130_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_a095085a-0439-43e1-80ba-eafb040a0130" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_a095085a-0439-43e1-80ba-eafb040a0130_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_d5d72863-b98c-41f5-9dda-e85279c753c1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_a095085a-0439-43e1-80ba-eafb040a0130" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_d5d72863-b98c-41f5-9dda-e85279c753c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_af21e1d7-2937-4bb3-b281-0d9ad61b267d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_d5d72863-b98c-41f5-9dda-e85279c753c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_af21e1d7-2937-4bb3-b281-0d9ad61b267d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_ClassBUnitsMember_a1be85f6-62b6-4dab-98c4-c5f4b4b6bd1f" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_ClassBUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_d5d72863-b98c-41f5-9dda-e85279c753c1" xlink:to="loc_vnom_ClassBUnitsMember_a1be85f6-62b6-4dab-98c4-c5f4b4b6bd1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_OperatingCompanyUnitsMember_05e26dbb-75b8-4b06-844c-409198b07563" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_OperatingCompanyUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_d5d72863-b98c-41f5-9dda-e85279c753c1" xlink:to="loc_vnom_OperatingCompanyUnitsMember_05e26dbb-75b8-4b06-844c-409198b07563" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_4155e9f4-adef-4c56-a4ce-9fd047d57780" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3a5470a4-ec65-4fe0-805f-b5085c454adb" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_4155e9f4-adef-4c56-a4ce-9fd047d57780" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_4155e9f4-adef-4c56-a4ce-9fd047d57780_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_4155e9f4-adef-4c56-a4ce-9fd047d57780" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_4155e9f4-adef-4c56-a4ce-9fd047d57780_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_a8b398e0-a1ee-46db-8dbb-19afdd5f3856" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_4155e9f4-adef-4c56-a4ce-9fd047d57780" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_a8b398e0-a1ee-46db-8dbb-19afdd5f3856" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_ViperEnergyPartnersLPMember_14adc3c7-3464-42a1-a76d-fd8fc3c1888c" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_ViperEnergyPartnersLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_a8b398e0-a1ee-46db-8dbb-19afdd5f3856" xlink:to="loc_vnom_ViperEnergyPartnersLPMember_14adc3c7-3464-42a1-a76d-fd8fc3c1888c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_815af96b-d1a9-4878-9e96-9e1ce931f9b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3a5470a4-ec65-4fe0-805f-b5085c454adb" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_815af96b-d1a9-4878-9e96-9e1ce931f9b8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_815af96b-d1a9-4878-9e96-9e1ce931f9b8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_815af96b-d1a9-4878-9e96-9e1ce931f9b8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_815af96b-d1a9-4878-9e96-9e1ce931f9b8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1c08ba68-9681-442e-b8e7-fb24009cbf68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_815af96b-d1a9-4878-9e96-9e1ce931f9b8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1c08ba68-9681-442e-b8e7-fb24009cbf68" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member_07b17586-2842-4111-aff3-e28c1b1d2e1d" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1c08ba68-9681-442e-b8e7-fb24009cbf68" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member_07b17586-2842-4111-aff3-e28c1b1d2e1d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_d1d61a42-8762-4cf5-811e-26313eb26105" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3a5470a4-ec65-4fe0-805f-b5085c454adb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_d1d61a42-8762-4cf5-811e-26313eb26105" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_d1d61a42-8762-4cf5-811e-26313eb26105_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_d1d61a42-8762-4cf5-811e-26313eb26105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_d1d61a42-8762-4cf5-811e-26313eb26105_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_e37f8ea6-da14-450b-bb7b-23b61f5d7cae" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_d1d61a42-8762-4cf5-811e-26313eb26105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_e37f8ea6-da14-450b-bb7b-23b61f5d7cae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_e0cb577c-3a54-49a7-bbe2-9df34d016a2c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_e37f8ea6-da14-450b-bb7b-23b61f5d7cae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_e0cb577c-3a54-49a7-bbe2-9df34d016a2c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_e96147fe-11b4-482b-859b-e9ffffdd9399" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3a5470a4-ec65-4fe0-805f-b5085c454adb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_e96147fe-11b4-482b-859b-e9ffffdd9399" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_e96147fe-11b4-482b-859b-e9ffffdd9399_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_e96147fe-11b4-482b-859b-e9ffffdd9399" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_e96147fe-11b4-482b-859b-e9ffffdd9399_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_d5797324-e03d-47ec-a68d-e5af1a247282" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_e96147fe-11b4-482b-859b-e9ffffdd9399" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_d5797324-e03d-47ec-a68d-e5af1a247282" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_163c14a6-37d6-4eed-a040-8335998dc666" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashDistributionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_d5797324-e03d-47ec-a68d-e5af1a247282" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_163c14a6-37d6-4eed-a040-8335998dc666" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSPartnershipDistributionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSPartnershipDistributionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSPartnershipDistributionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ibdf1bbb76eb14c308f1164fbc420a4a3_UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSPartnershipDistributionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_701a248f-6fbf-4819-a0b0-99fac261162c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit_b4743c91-c3e4-4160-a636-ac814d5f2490" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_701a248f-6fbf-4819-a0b0-99fac261162c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit_b4743c91-c3e4-4160-a636-ac814d5f2490" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_82c04401-0030-43d8-ad4d-7c738b5ed6d3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_701a248f-6fbf-4819-a0b0-99fac261162c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_82c04401-0030-43d8-ad4d-7c738b5ed6d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_8e7a2c55-04af-4dca-9cf4-b30ca44449ba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_701a248f-6fbf-4819-a0b0-99fac261162c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_8e7a2c55-04af-4dca-9cf4-b30ca44449ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_4944de95-865c-4bb5-a8a3-3cb9d15733c0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_8e7a2c55-04af-4dca-9cf4-b30ca44449ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_4944de95-865c-4bb5-a8a3-3cb9d15733c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_4944de95-865c-4bb5-a8a3-3cb9d15733c0_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_4944de95-865c-4bb5-a8a3-3cb9d15733c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_4944de95-865c-4bb5-a8a3-3cb9d15733c0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_9994d231-bf4d-48c6-938f-9f28bab06243" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_4944de95-865c-4bb5-a8a3-3cb9d15733c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_9994d231-bf4d-48c6-938f-9f28bab06243" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_877df2aa-9a19-438e-af9d-972e7bdad223" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashDistributionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_9994d231-bf4d-48c6-938f-9f28bab06243" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_877df2aa-9a19-438e-af9d-972e7bdad223" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4d8b4de1-7efb-44b2-bfea-086a8855c12d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_8e7a2c55-04af-4dca-9cf4-b30ca44449ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4d8b4de1-7efb-44b2-bfea-086a8855c12d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_4d8b4de1-7efb-44b2-bfea-086a8855c12d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4d8b4de1-7efb-44b2-bfea-086a8855c12d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_4d8b4de1-7efb-44b2-bfea-086a8855c12d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5bfaa628-f000-4dc1-a040-47c7295a013b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4d8b4de1-7efb-44b2-bfea-086a8855c12d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5bfaa628-f000-4dc1-a040-47c7295a013b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_OperatingCompanyUnitsMember_afbf02c7-c3ab-48bc-be92-da67448b7f6e" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_OperatingCompanyUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5bfaa628-f000-4dc1-a040-47c7295a013b" xlink:to="loc_vnom_OperatingCompanyUnitsMember_afbf02c7-c3ab-48bc-be92-da67448b7f6e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_95e63358-ba67-4e7d-850c-61f64f40df07" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_5bfaa628-f000-4dc1-a040-47c7295a013b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_95e63358-ba67-4e7d-850c-61f64f40df07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_baf9d5e1-1d9a-424b-9f62-fb6ebd87bbd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_8e7a2c55-04af-4dca-9cf4-b30ca44449ba" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_baf9d5e1-1d9a-424b-9f62-fb6ebd87bbd5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_baf9d5e1-1d9a-424b-9f62-fb6ebd87bbd5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_baf9d5e1-1d9a-424b-9f62-fb6ebd87bbd5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_baf9d5e1-1d9a-424b-9f62-fb6ebd87bbd5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_3245c8f9-8692-4c5c-90a1-e5a056fecfab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_baf9d5e1-1d9a-424b-9f62-fb6ebd87bbd5" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_3245c8f9-8692-4c5c-90a1-e5a056fecfab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member_33d65cf7-4d7b-4323-8c09-c9fc8fdfe909" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_3245c8f9-8692-4c5c-90a1-e5a056fecfab" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member_33d65cf7-4d7b-4323-8c09-c9fc8fdfe909" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSOwnershipInterestinSubsidiaryChangesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSOwnershipInterestinSubsidiaryChangesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSOwnershipInterestinSubsidiaryChangesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i45a4cec258aa46a1ac7c46db6cc49a7d_UNITHOLDERSEQUITYANDDISTRIBUTIONSOwnershipInterestinSubsidiaryChangesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestEffectsOfChangesNetLineItems_a81430f3-e1be-47c7-8e6d-e96f8121fb28" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestEffectsOfChangesNetLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_c04a2f35-555e-420e-8224-23425d04c8d7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestEffectsOfChangesNetLineItems_a81430f3-e1be-47c7-8e6d-e96f8121fb28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_c04a2f35-555e-420e-8224-23425d04c8d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesPurchaseOfInterestByParent_f951e7d8-c80b-43a0-8c3d-36f788e16fa5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesPurchaseOfInterestByParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestEffectsOfChangesNetLineItems_a81430f3-e1be-47c7-8e6d-e96f8121fb28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangesPurchaseOfInterestByParent_f951e7d8-c80b-43a0-8c3d-36f788e16fa5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangeDueToNetIncomeAttributableToParentAndEffectsOfChangesNet_68caf35e-6faf-424d-a9f8-73c2e5661726" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangeDueToNetIncomeAttributableToParentAndEffectsOfChangesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestEffectsOfChangesNetLineItems_a81430f3-e1be-47c7-8e6d-e96f8121fb28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestChangeDueToNetIncomeAttributableToParentAndEffectsOfChangesNet_68caf35e-6faf-424d-a9f8-73c2e5661726" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestEffectsOfChangesNetTable_958a62c0-9e9b-4cb5-81bb-1c8fcb4efc62" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestEffectsOfChangesNetTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestEffectsOfChangesNetLineItems_a81430f3-e1be-47c7-8e6d-e96f8121fb28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestEffectsOfChangesNetTable_958a62c0-9e9b-4cb5-81bb-1c8fcb4efc62" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_a65af35f-5917-4acd-a204-d37b342136b0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationLessThanWhollyOwnedSubsidiaryParentOwnershipInterestEffectsOfChangesNetTable_958a62c0-9e9b-4cb5-81bb-1c8fcb4efc62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_a65af35f-5917-4acd-a204-d37b342136b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_a65af35f-5917-4acd-a204-d37b342136b0_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_a65af35f-5917-4acd-a204-d37b342136b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_a65af35f-5917-4acd-a204-d37b342136b0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_7b78e535-31cb-49de-9e3a-a656606a731e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_a65af35f-5917-4acd-a204-d37b342136b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_7b78e535-31cb-49de-9e3a-a656606a731e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_acf86112-0b2d-49d6-98d7-cd1ebf057254" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_7b78e535-31cb-49de-9e3a-a656606a731e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_acf86112-0b2d-49d6-98d7-cd1ebf057254" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNIT" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNIT"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNIT" xlink:type="extended" id="i108bd5cc96cd4c2c9bb918b29d44eedd_EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNIT"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNITTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNITTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNITTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ifa46ee6b8eb444b081e0bc28c1879133_EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNITTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNITDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNITDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNITDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1d84949fca474b1ca1b2044ae52d1688_EARNINGSPERCOMMONUNITDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/INCOMETAXES" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#INCOMETAXES"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/INCOMETAXES" xlink:type="extended" id="i7368f7039b2a4ea397fbf62198adf4a1_INCOMETAXES"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/INCOMETAXESDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#INCOMETAXESDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/INCOMETAXESDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie6cfbfbc1c6d45648db63eed0cfb881b_INCOMETAXESDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DERIVATIVES" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#DERIVATIVES"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DERIVATIVES" xlink:type="extended" id="iecd78f4dfb3140a6a9e9f4af0c3f6936_DERIVATIVES"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DERIVATIVESTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#DERIVATIVESTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DERIVATIVESTables" xlink:type="extended" id="iad7f5c7430f9460990c6ffbb65168738_DERIVATIVESTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DERIVATIVESOpenDerivativePositionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#DERIVATIVESOpenDerivativePositionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DERIVATIVESOpenDerivativePositionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0844cf486ed74f0e8b729011a83cd1a3_DERIVATIVESOpenDerivativePositionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_c8ec65f8-dbe9-4714-82d0-31e05004710d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountVolume_5a6f535b-9d7a-4b8c-aa6a-23c37c2796fd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountVolume"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_c8ec65f8-dbe9-4714-82d0-31e05004710d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmountVolume_5a6f535b-9d7a-4b8c-aa6a-23c37c2796fd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFloorPrice_e7e71cc8-2083-432a-8410-2ed0fcf4dc02" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFloorPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_c8ec65f8-dbe9-4714-82d0-31e05004710d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFloorPrice_e7e71cc8-2083-432a-8410-2ed0fcf4dc02" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeCapPrice_7ece4981-7ae5-4c2a-b20c-f5abea1f12d0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeCapPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_c8ec65f8-dbe9-4714-82d0-31e05004710d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeCapPrice_7ece4981-7ae5-4c2a-b20c-f5abea1f12d0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_1d56b3be-b212-4827-ad2e-7fa3f6fa47d3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_c8ec65f8-dbe9-4714-82d0-31e05004710d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_1d56b3be-b212-4827-ad2e-7fa3f6fa47d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EnergyAxis_afd1435c-59eb-4a0d-91b7-12313a8dae99" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_EnergyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_1d56b3be-b212-4827-ad2e-7fa3f6fa47d3" xlink:to="loc_srt_EnergyAxis_afd1435c-59eb-4a0d-91b7-12313a8dae99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EnergyDomain_afd1435c-59eb-4a0d-91b7-12313a8dae99_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_EnergyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_EnergyAxis_afd1435c-59eb-4a0d-91b7-12313a8dae99" xlink:to="loc_srt_EnergyDomain_afd1435c-59eb-4a0d-91b7-12313a8dae99_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EnergyDomain_fdca0941-f053-4cad-88a7-15ff6fcadcc5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_EnergyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_EnergyAxis_afd1435c-59eb-4a0d-91b7-12313a8dae99" xlink:to="loc_srt_EnergyDomain_fdca0941-f053-4cad-88a7-15ff6fcadcc5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CrudeOilMember_cb451b02-87ae-4dc4-9cef-71243afea1ff" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CrudeOilMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EnergyDomain_fdca0941-f053-4cad-88a7-15ff6fcadcc5" xlink:to="loc_srt_CrudeOilMember_cb451b02-87ae-4dc4-9cef-71243afea1ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearAxis_f61afecb-5459-4203-a432-8aeab1af19fe" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_1d56b3be-b212-4827-ad2e-7fa3f6fa47d3" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearAxis_f61afecb-5459-4203-a432-8aeab1af19fe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearDomain_f61afecb-5459-4203-a432-8aeab1af19fe_default" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearAxis_f61afecb-5459-4203-a432-8aeab1af19fe" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearDomain_f61afecb-5459-4203-a432-8aeab1af19fe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearDomain_2b60b6a3-5bcb-467b-b279-16870dcbb623" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearAxis_f61afecb-5459-4203-a432-8aeab1af19fe" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearDomain_2b60b6a3-5bcb-467b-b279-16870dcbb623" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearTwoMember_ac2a7912-459b-47f6-9b50-65497ecded4a" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearDomain_2b60b6a3-5bcb-467b-b279-16870dcbb623" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DerivativeSettlementYearTwoMember_ac2a7912-459b-47f6-9b50-65497ecded4a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_6bdb7418-f5ad-4b55-875b-a20756c26c41" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_1d56b3be-b212-4827-ad2e-7fa3f6fa47d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_6bdb7418-f5ad-4b55-875b-a20756c26c41" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_6bdb7418-f5ad-4b55-875b-a20756c26c41_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_6bdb7418-f5ad-4b55-875b-a20756c26c41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_6bdb7418-f5ad-4b55-875b-a20756c26c41_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_d4cd1d0b-9aca-4a2b-b5f4-a6536faf0b0b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_6bdb7418-f5ad-4b55-875b-a20756c26c41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_d4cd1d0b-9aca-4a2b-b5f4-a6536faf0b0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_WTICushingMember_19bc7149-767a-425c-97c0-76cf44e96875" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_WTICushingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_d4cd1d0b-9aca-4a2b-b5f4-a6536faf0b0b" xlink:to="loc_vnom_WTICushingMember_19bc7149-767a-425c-97c0-76cf44e96875" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_67380644-598e-46b0-a671-5ba23959ebe4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_1d56b3be-b212-4827-ad2e-7fa3f6fa47d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_67380644-598e-46b0-a671-5ba23959ebe4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_67380644-598e-46b0-a671-5ba23959ebe4_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_67380644-598e-46b0-a671-5ba23959ebe4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_67380644-598e-46b0-a671-5ba23959ebe4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_b7cf2946-eb74-496d-a45b-a6bf0ace1e33" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_67380644-598e-46b0-a671-5ba23959ebe4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_b7cf2946-eb74-496d-a45b-a6bf0ace1e33" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_CostlessCollarMember_6a6e7b7f-2b2a-426f-9caf-196d0cb8de20" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_CostlessCollarMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_b7cf2946-eb74-496d-a45b-a6bf0ace1e33" xlink:to="loc_vnom_CostlessCollarMember_6a6e7b7f-2b2a-426f-9caf-196d0cb8de20" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DERIVATIVESGainsandLossesonDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinStatementofOperationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#DERIVATIVESGainsandLossesonDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinStatementofOperationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/DERIVATIVESGainsandLossesonDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinStatementofOperationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic3bfdb0d45e441e6bf337f282c728a0e_DERIVATIVESGainsandLossesonDerivativeInstrumentsIncludedinStatementofOperationsDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTS" xlink:type="extended" id="i2fcbda6f74c54f2e982066ce539e383e_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTS"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i7f8d1f91d1d34e9ba0e936e90b4eba6e_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSRecurringMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSRecurringMeasurementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSRecurringMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i462d3212de5b408b9fafab294ec7a95f_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSRecurringMeasurementsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_effbbbbb-2f76-48de-94f5-81c1420321d3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsAbstract_f6d919c7-7451-48e4-946f-2e94ac4f4afe" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_effbbbbb-2f76-48de-94f5-81c1420321d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsAbstract_f6d919c7-7451-48e4-946f-2e94ac4f4afe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DerivativeAssetCurrentAbstract_6e4642cf-38de-4c93-9875-f7a7ec09a06b" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DerivativeAssetCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsAbstract_f6d919c7-7451-48e4-946f-2e94ac4f4afe" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DerivativeAssetCurrentAbstract_6e4642cf-38de-4c93-9875-f7a7ec09a06b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossAssetCurrent_6888a33a-e6ed-46ae-ad3b-0e12943fca42" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossAssetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vnom_DerivativeAssetCurrentAbstract_6e4642cf-38de-4c93-9875-f7a7ec09a06b" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossAssetCurrent_6888a33a-e6ed-46ae-ad3b-0e12943fca42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityCurrent_5eb42a45-f8e6-420d-bd9a-11ac30f58f8b" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vnom_DerivativeAssetCurrentAbstract_6e4642cf-38de-4c93-9875-f7a7ec09a06b" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiabilityCurrent_5eb42a45-f8e6-420d-bd9a-11ac30f58f8b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent_9d43b810-1419-4983-b371-2b4cf2071aef" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vnom_DerivativeAssetCurrentAbstract_6e4642cf-38de-4c93-9875-f7a7ec09a06b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsCurrent_9d43b810-1419-4983-b371-2b4cf2071aef" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesAbstract_7969888e-7f33-4ba1-92e5-e62f645860e3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_effbbbbb-2f76-48de-94f5-81c1420321d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesAbstract_7969888e-7f33-4ba1-92e5-e62f645860e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DerivativeLiabilityCurrentAbstract_0990d163-58c5-4368-b227-8996ae11105d" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DerivativeLiabilityCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesAbstract_7969888e-7f33-4ba1-92e5-e62f645860e3" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DerivativeLiabilityCurrentAbstract_0990d163-58c5-4368-b227-8996ae11105d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossLiabilityCurrent_8660f66a-04f4-4171-b37c-58c7602d6f88" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vnom_DerivativeLiabilityCurrentAbstract_0990d163-58c5-4368-b227-8996ae11105d" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossLiabilityCurrent_8660f66a-04f4-4171-b37c-58c7602d6f88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetCurrent_b617cfae-e597-4057-b6a5-c717692c0100" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vnom_DerivativeLiabilityCurrentAbstract_0990d163-58c5-4368-b227-8996ae11105d" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAssetCurrent_b617cfae-e597-4057-b6a5-c717692c0100" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent_18b08f0d-1553-46ab-83da-2175aff77789" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vnom_DerivativeLiabilityCurrentAbstract_0990d163-58c5-4368-b227-8996ae11105d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilitiesCurrent_18b08f0d-1553-46ab-83da-2175aff77789" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_75ea0476-f28a-4029-bb91-ba1b5e099eb4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_effbbbbb-2f76-48de-94f5-81c1420321d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_75ea0476-f28a-4029-bb91-ba1b5e099eb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_37770675-a4bc-431d-a0e0-f4eeb393ed70" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_75ea0476-f28a-4029-bb91-ba1b5e099eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_37770675-a4bc-431d-a0e0-f4eeb393ed70" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_37770675-a4bc-431d-a0e0-f4eeb393ed70_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_37770675-a4bc-431d-a0e0-f4eeb393ed70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_37770675-a4bc-431d-a0e0-f4eeb393ed70_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_499e0da3-0596-40b8-b3a9-a76dd4dbd7ea" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_37770675-a4bc-431d-a0e0-f4eeb393ed70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_499e0da3-0596-40b8-b3a9-a76dd4dbd7ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_a298b4f8-1f1a-4158-b8e6-3f7439bda686" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_499e0da3-0596-40b8-b3a9-a76dd4dbd7ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_a298b4f8-1f1a-4158-b8e6-3f7439bda686" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2941c486-567f-4c5b-a81b-388409f9e625" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_75ea0476-f28a-4029-bb91-ba1b5e099eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2941c486-567f-4c5b-a81b-388409f9e625" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2941c486-567f-4c5b-a81b-388409f9e625_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2941c486-567f-4c5b-a81b-388409f9e625" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2941c486-567f-4c5b-a81b-388409f9e625_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6937c27f-0786-490e-8003-ec12cf070443" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2941c486-567f-4c5b-a81b-388409f9e625" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6937c27f-0786-490e-8003-ec12cf070443" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_81d07133-0d0a-4a90-a6c6-dc5d75de6554" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6937c27f-0786-490e-8003-ec12cf070443" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_81d07133-0d0a-4a90-a6c6-dc5d75de6554" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_72d46758-2eb4-4c98-a724-2efccc34ae5f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6937c27f-0786-490e-8003-ec12cf070443" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_72d46758-2eb4-4c98-a724-2efccc34ae5f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_c62f1304-6bd9-4510-9a2f-bc1f8a3d5666" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6937c27f-0786-490e-8003-ec12cf070443" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_c62f1304-6bd9-4510-9a2f-bc1f8a3d5666" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_fce13411-08c0-46a2-8337-b6e9a0c20227" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_75ea0476-f28a-4029-bb91-ba1b5e099eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_fce13411-08c0-46a2-8337-b6e9a0c20227" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_fce13411-08c0-46a2-8337-b6e9a0c20227_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_fce13411-08c0-46a2-8337-b6e9a0c20227" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_fce13411-08c0-46a2-8337-b6e9a0c20227_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_83c5ca70-d899-4410-928e-43d58032a9e6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_fce13411-08c0-46a2-8337-b6e9a0c20227" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_83c5ca70-d899-4410-928e-43d58032a9e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeMember_8dcb4c59-8a93-46b5-9dc3-8f7427ec5aa2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_83c5ca70-d899-4410-928e-43d58032a9e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeMember_8dcb4c59-8a93-46b5-9dc3-8f7427ec5aa2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNotRecordedatFairValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNotRecordedatFairValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNotRecordedatFairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0d76c0e1c20e4ac1a1769c7940de7217_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNotRecordedatFairValueDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_106a1afe-1ed7-4918-8c57-67d3d3276af4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_0a2ceb07-f25f-4b6c-a983-fdbd968ea57f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_106a1afe-1ed7-4918-8c57-67d3d3276af4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_0a2ceb07-f25f-4b6c-a983-fdbd968ea57f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_c3e928db-d262-4623-97e0-97d910f7bfad" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_106a1afe-1ed7-4918-8c57-67d3d3276af4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_c3e928db-d262-4623-97e0-97d910f7bfad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_0366ae7f-92cf-4f83-be89-1b17bd9433ae" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_106a1afe-1ed7-4918-8c57-67d3d3276af4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_0366ae7f-92cf-4f83-be89-1b17bd9433ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_56ee6f31-c86e-497a-bc1e-183da6298593" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_0366ae7f-92cf-4f83-be89-1b17bd9433ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_56ee6f31-c86e-497a-bc1e-183da6298593" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_56ee6f31-c86e-497a-bc1e-183da6298593_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_56ee6f31-c86e-497a-bc1e-183da6298593" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_56ee6f31-c86e-497a-bc1e-183da6298593_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_31c7ce4b-0fce-436d-9385-6fff879056bc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_56ee6f31-c86e-497a-bc1e-183da6298593" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_31c7ce4b-0fce-436d-9385-6fff879056bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_e56ccb07-73fa-46ac-92f7-74c3bfdef8d7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_31c7ce4b-0fce-436d-9385-6fff879056bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_e56ccb07-73fa-46ac-92f7-74c3bfdef8d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_853d5e29-53b8-42d2-8e55-b9b35ef260ca" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_e56ccb07-73fa-46ac-92f7-74c3bfdef8d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_853d5e29-53b8-42d2-8e55-b9b35ef260ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_629ff498-a732-44f1-a272-f2c0bff94b5a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_e56ccb07-73fa-46ac-92f7-74c3bfdef8d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_629ff498-a732-44f1-a272-f2c0bff94b5a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_e8613312-f8d4-4132-8568-6b4d52d7a9e2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_0366ae7f-92cf-4f83-be89-1b17bd9433ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_e8613312-f8d4-4132-8568-6b4d52d7a9e2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_e8613312-f8d4-4132-8568-6b4d52d7a9e2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_e8613312-f8d4-4132-8568-6b4d52d7a9e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_e8613312-f8d4-4132-8568-6b4d52d7a9e2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_74833351-7f55-4bc9-9923-be60749480d7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_e8613312-f8d4-4132-8568-6b4d52d7a9e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_74833351-7f55-4bc9-9923-be60749480d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_a07171ad-6d0f-4a3b-b62d-dc65fa21eb21" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_74833351-7f55-4bc9-9923-be60749480d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_a07171ad-6d0f-4a3b-b62d-dc65fa21eb21" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_219c7011-5f90-4d95-a6ce-10b175641f78" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_0366ae7f-92cf-4f83-be89-1b17bd9433ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_219c7011-5f90-4d95-a6ce-10b175641f78" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_219c7011-5f90-4d95-a6ce-10b175641f78_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_219c7011-5f90-4d95-a6ce-10b175641f78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_219c7011-5f90-4d95-a6ce-10b175641f78_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ce327c52-159b-47d8-87d4-09f9c0928c0a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_219c7011-5f90-4d95-a6ce-10b175641f78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ce327c52-159b-47d8-87d4-09f9c0928c0a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_7905593a-08ae-4500-af28-d84f403cf930" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ce327c52-159b-47d8-87d4-09f9c0928c0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_7905593a-08ae-4500-af28-d84f403cf930" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_42f16d52-9793-4c40-a90a-bf3b1beeb30e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_0366ae7f-92cf-4f83-be89-1b17bd9433ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_42f16d52-9793-4c40-a90a-bf3b1beeb30e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_42f16d52-9793-4c40-a90a-bf3b1beeb30e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_42f16d52-9793-4c40-a90a-bf3b1beeb30e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_42f16d52-9793-4c40-a90a-bf3b1beeb30e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f01180ea-1ed4-431a-b9c4-63d03583efa8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_42f16d52-9793-4c40-a90a-bf3b1beeb30e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f01180ea-1ed4-431a-b9c4-63d03583efa8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vnom_A5.375SeniorNotesDue2027Member_dd05c3ec-6deb-409a-acaf-cd009996f5e5" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#vnom_A5.375SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f01180ea-1ed4-431a-b9c4-63d03583efa8" xlink:to="loc_vnom_A5.375SeniorNotesDue2027Member_dd05c3ec-6deb-409a-acaf-cd009996f5e5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6dfdabb4-6507-4d6b-a518-42368a173acc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_0366ae7f-92cf-4f83-be89-1b17bd9433ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6dfdabb4-6507-4d6b-a518-42368a173acc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_6dfdabb4-6507-4d6b-a518-42368a173acc_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6dfdabb4-6507-4d6b-a518-42368a173acc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_6dfdabb4-6507-4d6b-a518-42368a173acc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_74fd7ce2-8c31-4e20-8fd3-5e4d0de906d2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6dfdabb4-6507-4d6b-a518-42368a173acc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_74fd7ce2-8c31-4e20-8fd3-5e4d0de906d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_ecee3eb8-4495-4571-bd38-6a255fc1be76" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_74fd7ce2-8c31-4e20-8fd3-5e4d0de906d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_ecee3eb8-4495-4571-bd38-6a255fc1be76" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIES" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIES"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIES" xlink:type="extended" id="i213824df816f4947be35cb0a342bc4a2_COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIES"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUBSEQUENTEVENTS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#SUBSEQUENTEVENTS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUBSEQUENTEVENTS" xlink:type="extended" id="iaf60471c115d4fea9d4acbd23651bca2_SUBSEQUENTEVENTS"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUBSEQUENTEVENTSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vnom-20210331.xsd#SUBSEQUENTEVENTSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.viperenergy.com/role/SUBSEQUENTEVENTSDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i77bef2ddf4954d809e3c5ca7bb01eaff_SUBSEQUENTEVENTSDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_fa2e4b91-cf70-4791-8d9c-5bc1e91a3ce8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit_3d01a1d7-5bd0-4d19-a49f-5296e5aef59e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_fa2e4b91-cf70-4791-8d9c-5bc1e91a3ce8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit_3d01a1d7-5bd0-4d19-a49f-5296e5aef59e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_cbeec69a-932e-47cf-a54c-f8f19501eb3c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_fa2e4b91-cf70-4791-8d9c-5bc1e91a3ce8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_cbeec69a-932e-47cf-a54c-f8f19501eb3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_baf7ed15-159f-4628-b95d-8d00146806f2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_cbeec69a-932e-47cf-a54c-f8f19501eb3c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_baf7ed15-159f-4628-b95d-8d00146806f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_baf7ed15-159f-4628-b95d-8d00146806f2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_baf7ed15-159f-4628-b95d-8d00146806f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_baf7ed15-159f-4628-b95d-8d00146806f2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_e5823e4c-e60b-41bd-a567-87302b026ff2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_baf7ed15-159f-4628-b95d-8d00146806f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_e5823e4c-e60b-41bd-a567-87302b026ff2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_592b8fef-a846-4f7a-b441-7444b0bf4c48" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashDistributionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_e5823e4c-e60b-41bd-a567-87302b026ff2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_592b8fef-a846-4f7a-b441-7444b0bf4c48" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ea50ce91-cc37-46d5-8cbb-1e6cc7144774" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_cbeec69a-932e-47cf-a54c-f8f19501eb3c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ea50ce91-cc37-46d5-8cbb-1e6cc7144774" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_ea50ce91-cc37-46d5-8cbb-1e6cc7144774_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ea50ce91-cc37-46d5-8cbb-1e6cc7144774" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_ea50ce91-cc37-46d5-8cbb-1e6cc7144774_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_29f79a80-551b-4703-bd47-96d41b4e4bc9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_ea50ce91-cc37-46d5-8cbb-1e6cc7144774" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_29f79a80-551b-4703-bd47-96d41b4e4bc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_60b97b80-f131-4ba0-8aa4-027ac4722d57" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_29f79a80-551b-4703-bd47-96d41b4e4bc9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_60b97b80-f131-4ba0-8aa4-027ac4722d57" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
