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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019e2241-24ae-74d3-8d76-940084acb20f,g:a8c7d287-eefd-4e37-875c-4ea646158fbd-->
<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.lazard.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#Cover"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_019e2241-26fd-7537-a18a-5cb22a86150b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_019e2241-26fd-7537-a18a-5cb22a86150b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019f491c-619d-7f57-a69e-2f86eb918f0a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_019e2241-26fd-7537-a18a-5cb22a86150b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019f491c-619d-7f57-a69e-2f86eb918f0a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019f491c-619d-7f57-a69e-2f86eb918f0a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019f491c-619d-7f57-a69e-2f86eb918f0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019f491c-619d-7f57-a69e-2f86eb918f0a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019f491c-619d-703e-8eb5-d322d20d3327" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019f491c-619d-7f57-a69e-2f86eb918f0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019f491c-619d-703e-8eb5-d322d20d3327" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_019f491c-79ae-7aae-ad2d-5ea039d0b7b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019f491c-619d-703e-8eb5-d322d20d3327" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_019f491c-79ae-7aae-ad2d-5ea039d0b7b6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_019e2241-26fd-79a1-9fea-9ecfb53fcc58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_019e2241-26fd-79a1-9fea-9ecfb53fcc58" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019e2241-26fd-72ae-8cb6-f76308824e03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019e2241-26fd-72ae-8cb6-f76308824e03" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019e2241-26fd-70a0-a2a2-6706d9435608" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019e2241-26fd-70a0-a2a2-6706d9435608" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019e2241-26fd-7d0e-a083-c27ae77f2f57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019e2241-26fd-7d0e-a083-c27ae77f2f57" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019e2241-26fd-7d3a-8632-0f5ea03a4f55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019e2241-26fd-7d3a-8632-0f5ea03a4f55" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019e2241-26fd-7d29-b740-f72c89e7dc6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019e2241-26fd-7d29-b740-f72c89e7dc6c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019e2241-26fd-747b-9afe-e9b43de97420" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019e2241-26fd-747b-9afe-e9b43de97420" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019e2241-26fd-7ba8-978f-27dc1b9d2e84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019e2241-26fd-7ba8-978f-27dc1b9d2e84" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019e2241-26fd-7ed0-9ba6-b964b25fc787" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019e2241-26fd-7ed0-9ba6-b964b25fc787" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019e2241-26fd-7546-a28a-81e560c70cf0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019e2241-26fd-7546-a28a-81e560c70cf0" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019e2241-26fd-7452-a3ac-6e19b794f78a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019e2241-26fd-7452-a3ac-6e19b794f78a" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019e2241-26fd-7153-9d84-674de6a5b25c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019e2241-26fd-7153-9d84-674de6a5b25c" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019e2241-26fd-7aa8-98e6-0c5bb0c65ab8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019e2241-26fd-7aa8-98e6-0c5bb0c65ab8" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019e2241-26fd-78a8-aab4-24cbea12c1fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019e2241-26fd-78a8-aab4-24cbea12c1fc" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019e2241-26fd-72e2-918a-b9a1907a428b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019e2241-26fd-72e2-918a-b9a1907a428b" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019e2241-26fd-7c8d-b80e-387034cbc5a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019e2241-26fd-7c8d-b80e-387034cbc5a4" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019e2241-26fd-790e-8b61-c1d1c030e12f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019e2241-26fd-790e-8b61-c1d1c030e12f" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019e2241-26fd-77c2-8e4f-fc99003c07f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019e2241-26fd-77c2-8e4f-fc99003c07f0" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019e2241-26fd-7f44-bd5d-5e4880a9bacf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019e2241-26fd-7f44-bd5d-5e4880a9bacf" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019e2241-26fd-7c27-b7e5-36afccc67167" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019e2241-26fd-7c27-b7e5-36afccc67167" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019e2241-26fd-7259-9609-cb9dd2018a6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019e2241-26fd-7259-9609-cb9dd2018a6c" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019e2241-26fd-7896-88f8-a03d930e8401" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019e2241-26fd-7896-88f8-a03d930e8401" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019e2241-26fd-762c-a98f-0601fcfb71d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019e2241-26fd-762c-a98f-0601fcfb71d6" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e2241-26fd-70d4-b410-ae34bba4866e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e2241-26fd-70d4-b410-ae34bba4866e" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019e2241-26fd-728e-a426-1ba257bf0ae2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019e2241-26fd-728e-a426-1ba257bf0ae2" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019e2241-26fd-7029-9c96-59dffa8ab014" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019e2241-26fd-7029-9c96-59dffa8ab014" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019e2241-26fd-72f4-8099-3705dc16ed12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019e2241-26fd-72f4-8099-3705dc16ed12" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019e2241-26fd-77b2-a7ed-267dd56c3bb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019e2241-26fd-77b2-a7ed-267dd56c3bb0" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019e2241-26fd-7a45-947a-fe3f29126fdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-72ed-a3b5-3a55e8dddaba" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019e2241-26fd-7a45-947a-fe3f29126fdd" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFFINANCIALCONDITIONParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFFINANCIALCONDITIONParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFFINANCIALCONDITIONParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-703a-bf40-5fe6f459bedf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e2241-26fd-7fc7-ae24-2df7be7a4ad9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-703a-bf40-5fe6f459bedf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e2241-26fd-7fc7-ae24-2df7be7a4ad9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusAxis_019e2241-26fd-7f11-9573-784080bb3276" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PledgedStatusAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e2241-26fd-7fc7-ae24-2df7be7a4ad9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusAxis_019e2241-26fd-7f11-9573-784080bb3276" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain_019e2241-26fd-7f11-9573-784080bb3276_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusAxis_019e2241-26fd-7f11-9573-784080bb3276" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain_019e2241-26fd-7f11-9573-784080bb3276_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain_019e2241-26fd-76a6-abd4-aac739b252cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusAxis_019e2241-26fd-7f11-9573-784080bb3276" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain_019e2241-26fd-76a6-abd4-aac739b252cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetPledgedAsCollateralMember_019e2241-26fd-7d52-90a0-c4be198ebc0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetPledgedAsCollateralMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain_019e2241-26fd-76a6-abd4-aac739b252cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetPledgedAsCollateralMember_019e2241-26fd-7d52-90a0-c4be198ebc0b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Investments_019e2241-26fd-771e-a2be-c4c418cad80e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Investments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-703a-bf40-5fe6f459bedf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Investments_019e2241-26fd-771e-a2be-c4c418cad80e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-774d-aad0-2350252c64d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e2241-26fd-7f56-83f5-317700335e09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-774d-aad0-2350252c64d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e2241-26fd-7f56-83f5-317700335e09" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e2241-26fd-7b4c-88df-e02f9d5dc174" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e2241-26fd-7f56-83f5-317700335e09" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e2241-26fd-7b4c-88df-e02f9d5dc174" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-7b4c-88df-e02f9d5dc174_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e2241-26fd-7b4c-88df-e02f9d5dc174" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-7b4c-88df-e02f9d5dc174_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-7524-b1e8-c323957a3503" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e2241-26fd-7b4c-88df-e02f9d5dc174" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-7524-b1e8-c323957a3503" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_FinancialAdvisoryFeesMember_019e2241-26fd-78da-97a3-e0d63430301c" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_FinancialAdvisoryFeesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-7524-b1e8-c323957a3503" xlink:to="loc_laz_FinancialAdvisoryFeesMember_019e2241-26fd-78da-97a3-e0d63430301c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_019e2241-26fd-71d9-934e-5618646d987f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-7524-b1e8-c323957a3503" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_019e2241-26fd-71d9-934e-5618646d987f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76a8-b43f-613142d7ba88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-774d-aad0-2350252c64d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76a8-b43f-613142d7ba88" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e2241-26fd-740d-b081-d4912f5b5a12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76a8-b43f-613142d7ba88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e2241-26fd-740d-b081-d4912f5b5a12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating_019e2241-26fd-74ed-adb4-8a9da6b80e11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76a8-b43f-613142d7ba88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating_019e2241-26fd-74ed-adb4-8a9da6b80e11" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome_019e2241-26fd-7ad0-91b2-41a574f60636" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76a8-b43f-613142d7ba88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome_019e2241-26fd-7ad0-91b2-41a574f60636" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e2241-26fd-7af8-9edc-1b59fe75c2d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76a8-b43f-613142d7ba88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e2241-26fd-7af8-9edc-1b59fe75c2d9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseOperating_019e2241-26fd-793f-b534-03f00f2fa70c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76a8-b43f-613142d7ba88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseOperating_019e2241-26fd-793f-b534-03f00f2fa70c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense_019e2241-26fd-7e35-8e08-df1a3c0c160c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpenseAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76a8-b43f-613142d7ba88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense_019e2241-26fd-7e35-8e08-df1a3c0c160c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7cef-94ad-3fbe933cfa59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-774d-aad0-2350252c64d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7cef-94ad-3fbe933cfa59" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_019e2241-26fd-74cf-ad15-3886c1ae15ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7cef-94ad-3fbe933cfa59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_019e2241-26fd-74cf-ad15-3886c1ae15ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyNet_019e2241-26fd-7162-a4fd-dab1fcaf1cb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OccupancyNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7cef-94ad-3fbe933cfa59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyNet_019e2241-26fd-7162-a4fd-dab1fcaf1cb5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense_019e2241-26fd-72d1-a9c8-157edc5a95f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7cef-94ad-3fbe933cfa59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense_019e2241-26fd-72d1-a9c8-157edc5a95f0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommunicationsAndInformationTechnology_019e2241-26fd-7d47-952c-33d0e2cc6110" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommunicationsAndInformationTechnology"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7cef-94ad-3fbe933cfa59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommunicationsAndInformationTechnology_019e2241-26fd-7d47-952c-33d0e2cc6110" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfessionalFees_019e2241-26fd-7bcc-a0dd-925a9e92673b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfessionalFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7cef-94ad-3fbe933cfa59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfessionalFees_019e2241-26fd-7bcc-a0dd-925a9e92673b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_FundAdministrationAndOutsourcedServicesExpense_019e2241-26fd-77f9-b983-d3dfd2d4e40f" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_FundAdministrationAndOutsourcedServicesExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7cef-94ad-3fbe933cfa59" xlink:to="loc_laz_FundAdministrationAndOutsourcedServicesExpense_019e2241-26fd-77f9-b983-d3dfd2d4e40f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherExpenses_019e2241-26fd-7cb1-98f4-1b2918642a58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7cef-94ad-3fbe933cfa59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherExpenses_019e2241-26fd-7cb1-98f4-1b2918642a58" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_019e2241-26fd-7d9a-b0c6-a7e4ff067f3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7cef-94ad-3fbe933cfa59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_019e2241-26fd-7d9a-b0c6-a7e4ff067f3f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e2241-26fd-72c8-929d-33042c40187a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-774d-aad0-2350252c64d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e2241-26fd-72c8-929d-33042c40187a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e2241-26fd-76be-9c68-709eb3547619" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-774d-aad0-2350252c64d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e2241-26fd-76be-9c68-709eb3547619" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e2241-26fd-7972-86fc-5a776415edae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-774d-aad0-2350252c64d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e2241-26fd-7972-86fc-5a776415edae" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e2241-26fd-72f9-b014-e62301686c34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-774d-aad0-2350252c64d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e2241-26fd-72f9-b014-e62301686c34" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019e2241-26fd-7ee4-9991-2ef6c8bfbab8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-774d-aad0-2350252c64d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019e2241-26fd-7ee4-9991-2ef6c8bfbab8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019e2241-26fd-739f-a690-7462e5fdb120" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-774d-aad0-2350252c64d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019e2241-26fd-739f-a690-7462e5fdb120" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019e2241-26fd-70f1-ba21-ff104a325950" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019e2241-26fd-739f-a690-7462e5fdb120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019e2241-26fd-70f1-ba21-ff104a325950" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019e2241-26fd-7595-ade7-6bca219e0a89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019e2241-26fd-739f-a690-7462e5fdb120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019e2241-26fd-7595-ade7-6bca219e0a89" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76d6-8294-eb378fa5fc4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-774d-aad0-2350252c64d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76d6-8294-eb378fa5fc4e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019e2241-26fd-78f0-821b-df5e170283a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76d6-8294-eb378fa5fc4e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019e2241-26fd-78f0-821b-df5e170283a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019e2241-26fd-7b03-baad-2840e62ece6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e2241-26fd-76d6-8294-eb378fa5fc4e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019e2241-26fd-7b03-baad-2840e62ece6d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTS" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7f47-b511-aa6f51de6d5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e2241-26fd-7e6c-957b-e77bdfdc01bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7f47-b511-aa6f51de6d5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e2241-26fd-7e6c-957b-e77bdfdc01bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-713f-8cb1-118ec5b1c725" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e2241-26fd-7e6c-957b-e77bdfdc01bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-713f-8cb1-118ec5b1c725" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-713f-8cb1-118ec5b1c725_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-713f-8cb1-118ec5b1c725" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-713f-8cb1-118ec5b1c725_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7e76-a7fc-b20766958eaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-713f-8cb1-118ec5b1c725" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7e76-a7fc-b20766958eaa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e2241-26fd-77af-9219-0a196f7354bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7e76-a7fc-b20766958eaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e2241-26fd-77af-9219-0a196f7354bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e2241-26fd-7643-a880-592c86eb1da3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e2241-26fd-77af-9219-0a196f7354bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e2241-26fd-7643-a880-592c86eb1da3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e2241-26fd-76c4-9304-1d768e55e886" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e2241-26fd-77af-9219-0a196f7354bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e2241-26fd-76c4-9304-1d768e55e886" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019e2241-26fd-770f-b2c5-1b093206f12b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e2241-26fd-77af-9219-0a196f7354bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019e2241-26fd-770f-b2c5-1b093206f12b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e2241-26fd-7a2b-9811-42afc361a5ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e2241-26fd-77af-9219-0a196f7354bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e2241-26fd-7a2b-9811-42afc361a5ad" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_019e2241-26fd-7cfa-974f-c95f8795dabd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e2241-26fd-77af-9219-0a196f7354bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_019e2241-26fd-7cfa-974f-c95f8795dabd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-26fd-7b7d-ad83-4f51b3e3b609" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7e76-a7fc-b20766958eaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-26fd-7b7d-ad83-4f51b3e3b609" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-26fd-7b74-9e4a-68f328dd5bbf" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7e76-a7fc-b20766958eaa" xlink:to="loc_laz_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-26fd-7b74-9e4a-68f328dd5bbf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7f47-b511-aa6f51de6d5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e2241-26fd-779e-88a9-a3611453c97b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e2241-26fd-779e-88a9-a3611453c97b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e2241-26fd-7636-8ce2-f06d26456408" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e2241-26fd-7636-8ce2-f06d26456408" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019e2241-26fd-7fa1-a72b-5cd75d8d7f59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019e2241-26fd-7fa1-a72b-5cd75d8d7f59" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7725-916e-0fa5d6a02e2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7725-916e-0fa5d6a02e2a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ProfitLossExcludingRedeemableNoncontrollingInterests_019e2241-26fd-7de2-94a9-b33534abb204" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ProfitLossExcludingRedeemableNoncontrollingInterests"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7725-916e-0fa5d6a02e2a" xlink:to="loc_laz_ProfitLossExcludingRedeemableNoncontrollingInterests_019e2241-26fd-7de2-94a9-b33534abb204" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e2241-26fd-751c-912e-48307b0a982f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7725-916e-0fa5d6a02e2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e2241-26fd-751c-912e-48307b0a982f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019e2241-26fd-7d21-94d4-57a489ab74ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019e2241-26fd-7d21-94d4-57a489ab74ea" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsSharebasedCompensationStock_019e2241-26fd-7444-a485-7cbc009ae789" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsSharebasedCompensationStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsSharebasedCompensationStock_019e2241-26fd-7444-a485-7cbc009ae789" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019e2241-26fd-75e5-9217-379bd332bb52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019e2241-26fd-75e5-9217-379bd332bb52" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_019e2241-26fd-79da-b249-01cf1630fb3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_019e2241-26fd-79da-b249-01cf1630fb3b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_019e2241-26fd-77f9-8578-028faa881da5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_019e2241-26fd-77f9-8578-028faa881da5" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019e2241-26fd-70d0-a6a4-0509ac057232" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019e2241-26fd-70d0-a6a4-0509ac057232" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019e2241-26fd-73ea-877f-b4b0f0cbc563" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019e2241-26fd-73ea-877f-b4b0f0cbc563" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_019e2241-26fd-7f8c-89f3-be11065bf1b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_019e2241-26fd-7f8c-89f3-be11065bf1b4" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_019e2241-26fd-72ca-a476-c19d7811266a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_019e2241-26fd-72ca-a476-c19d7811266a" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_StockIssuedIssuableDuringPeriodValueBusinessAcquisitionsMergers_019e2241-26fd-77a8-acd4-c5f238d59a83" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_StockIssuedIssuableDuringPeriodValueBusinessAcquisitionsMergers"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_laz_StockIssuedIssuableDuringPeriodValueBusinessAcquisitionsMergers_019e2241-26fd-77a8-acd4-c5f238d59a83" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_NoncontrollingInterestContributionsFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_019e2241-26fd-7178-93f3-65dead8109cd" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_NoncontrollingInterestContributionsFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_laz_NoncontrollingInterestContributionsFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_019e2241-26fd-7178-93f3-65dead8109cd" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestDecreaseFromDeconsolidation_019e2241-26fd-7bfe-8dd3-e1cead0882b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestDecreaseFromDeconsolidation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestDecreaseFromDeconsolidation_019e2241-26fd-7bfe-8dd3-e1cead0882b9" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_019f85fe-6d57-7c4f-9525-48f557e2e819" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_019f85fe-6d57-7c4f-9525-48f557e2e819" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOtherShares_019e2241-26fd-779b-a436-e85ab6b4255e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOtherShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOtherShares_019e2241-26fd-779b-a436-e85ab6b4255e" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_019e2241-26fd-7118-aa31-19fd5fe25f7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7cad-8e58-096d9bd829c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_019e2241-26fd-7118-aa31-19fd5fe25f7a" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e2241-26fd-7f19-8b27-442c2e709e09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e2241-26fd-7a70-b9e2-107efdec0fff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019e2241-26fd-78db-aeec-d183630dba99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7b3d-8e81-1c87f6fbb76a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7f47-b511-aa6f51de6d5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7b3d-8e81-1c87f6fbb76a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests_019e2241-26fd-7b95-b3c4-00505a9826d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7b3d-8e81-1c87f6fbb76a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests_019e2241-26fd-7b95-b3c4-00505a9826d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityNetIncome_019e2241-26fd-730c-b8ce-ada6cf251bcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityNetIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7b3d-8e81-1c87f6fbb76a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityNetIncome_019e2241-26fd-730c-b8ce-ada6cf251bcf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_TemporaryEquityOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019f85ef-1098-7972-912c-cd2a5f86e867" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_TemporaryEquityOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7b3d-8e81-1c87f6fbb76a" xlink:to="loc_laz_TemporaryEquityOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019f85ef-1098-7972-912c-cd2a5f86e867" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_TemporaryEquityContributionsFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_019f85f1-0de1-7d08-880d-af7cd7cec290" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_TemporaryEquityContributionsFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7b3d-8e81-1c87f6fbb76a" xlink:to="loc_laz_TemporaryEquityContributionsFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_019f85f1-0de1-7d08-880d-af7cd7cec290" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_TemporaryEquityConsolidatedVariableInterestEntities_019e2241-26fd-78a8-8874-fd830dc963b9" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_TemporaryEquityConsolidatedVariableInterestEntities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7b3d-8e81-1c87f6fbb76a" xlink:to="loc_laz_TemporaryEquityConsolidatedVariableInterestEntities_019e2241-26fd-78a8-8874-fd830dc963b9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_TemporaryEquityBusinessCombination_019f85f5-c766-77e6-98f6-a3dd679e23b0" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_TemporaryEquityBusinessCombination"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7b3d-8e81-1c87f6fbb76a" xlink:to="loc_laz_TemporaryEquityBusinessCombination_019f85f5-c766-77e6-98f6-a3dd679e23b0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests_019e2241-26fd-7817-95d0-732e79e9c385" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#INCENTIVEPLANSTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSTables" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-724e-b5f5-243aa2f34faf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-7d5a-8aa5-3a24c3eb994f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-724e-b5f5-243aa2f34faf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-7d5a-8aa5-3a24c3eb994f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7ee7-b985-d9afe18faecc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-7d5a-8aa5-3a24c3eb994f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7ee7-b985-d9afe18faecc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7ee7-b985-d9afe18faecc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7ee7-b985-d9afe18faecc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7ee7-b985-d9afe18faecc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7853-9d58-c6ecd47a0be3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7ee7-b985-d9afe18faecc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7853-9d58-c6ecd47a0be3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e2241-27c4-7658-8e54-0d914b34d810" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7853-9d58-c6ecd47a0be3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e2241-27c4-7658-8e54-0d914b34d810" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember_019e2241-27c4-73b0-b6c5-542b03c215f3" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7853-9d58-c6ecd47a0be3" xlink:to="loc_laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember_019e2241-27c4-73b0-b6c5-542b03c215f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationActivityTableTextBlock_019e2241-27c4-722b-a97b-e7f38b876f47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationActivityTableTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-724e-b5f5-243aa2f34faf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationActivityTableTextBlock_019e2241-27c4-722b-a97b-e7f38b876f47" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATIONAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATIONAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATIONAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-71a0-b801-ee0da035b916" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationTable_019e2241-26fd-7169-b92f-60e067e45126" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-71a0-b801-ee0da035b916" xlink:to="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationTable_019e2241-26fd-7169-b92f-60e067e45126" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e2241-26fd-7e4b-a4de-afdd23f4efd4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationTable_019e2241-26fd-7169-b92f-60e067e45126" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e2241-26fd-7e4b-a4de-afdd23f4efd4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e2241-26fd-7e4b-a4de-afdd23f4efd4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e2241-26fd-7e4b-a4de-afdd23f4efd4" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e2241-26fd-7e4b-a4de-afdd23f4efd4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e2241-26fd-7389-bc28-56c55cfdc5b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e2241-26fd-7e4b-a4de-afdd23f4efd4" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e2241-26fd-7389-bc28-56c55cfdc5b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardGroupLlcMember_019e2241-26fd-771b-b492-d5b6686ff85f" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardGroupLlcMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e2241-26fd-7389-bc28-56c55cfdc5b6" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardGroupLlcMember_019e2241-26fd-771b-b492-d5b6686ff85f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019e83f8-5934-780f-ab1a-2515434fc1e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationTable_019e2241-26fd-7169-b92f-60e067e45126" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019e83f8-5934-780f-ab1a-2515434fc1e5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019e83f8-5934-780f-ab1a-2515434fc1e5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019e83f8-5934-780f-ab1a-2515434fc1e5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019e83f8-5934-780f-ab1a-2515434fc1e5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019e83f8-5934-7fc7-a340-c99e1b0185dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019e83f8-5934-780f-ab1a-2515434fc1e5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019e83f8-5934-7fc7-a340-c99e1b0185dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_019e83f8-6220-7078-b13e-7da3ec8bcfb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019e83f8-5934-7fc7-a340-c99e1b0185dd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_019e83f8-6220-7078-b13e-7da3ec8bcfb0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019e83f8-6789-7c4a-8b21-daddc1d9058a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationTable_019e2241-26fd-7169-b92f-60e067e45126" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019e83f8-6789-7c4a-8b21-daddc1d9058a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019e83f8-6789-7c4a-8b21-daddc1d9058a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019e83f8-6789-7c4a-8b21-daddc1d9058a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019e83f8-6789-7c4a-8b21-daddc1d9058a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019e83f8-6789-72ab-bba1-56afa6b78cd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019e83f8-6789-7c4a-8b21-daddc1d9058a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019e83f8-6789-72ab-bba1-56afa6b78cd1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_CampbellLutyensMember_019e83f8-6d81-73c3-bd7b-0a0c2c629bfd" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_CampbellLutyensMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019e83f8-6789-72ab-bba1-56afa6b78cd1" xlink:to="loc_laz_CampbellLutyensMember_019e83f8-6d81-73c3-bd7b-0a0c2c629bfd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_019e2241-26fd-78d3-af31-cc1c74d9e786" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-71a0-b801-ee0da035b916" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_019e2241-26fd-78d3-af31-cc1c74d9e786" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_019e2241-26fd-7a71-bf81-503f86fbaad3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-71a0-b801-ee0da035b916" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_019e2241-26fd-7a71-bf81-503f86fbaad3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_019e2241-26fd-766c-9383-f4ee7d73c81d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-71a0-b801-ee0da035b916" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_019e2241-26fd-766c-9383-f4ee7d73c81d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmount_019e2241-26fd-7b45-b692-76fc5b65edcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-71a0-b801-ee0da035b916" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmount_019e2241-26fd-7b45-b692-76fc5b65edcc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredInitialConsideration_019e83f8-2a64-774c-a37a-92669234aff6" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredInitialConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-71a0-b801-ee0da035b916" xlink:to="loc_laz_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredInitialConsideration_019e83f8-2a64-774c-a37a-92669234aff6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredDeferredConsideration_019e83f8-3895-7f0a-a288-640f6f0400f2" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredDeferredConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-71a0-b801-ee0da035b916" xlink:to="loc_laz_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredDeferredConsideration_019e83f8-3895-7f0a-a288-640f6f0400f2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEarnoutConsideration_019e83f8-457e-73c2-8ad1-78343625f588" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEarnoutConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-71a0-b801-ee0da035b916" xlink:to="loc_laz_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEarnoutConsideration_019e83f8-457e-73c2-8ad1-78343625f588" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_BusinessCombinationTerminationFee_019e83f8-529e-7fa2-9e5c-2758f9633e93" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_BusinessCombinationTerminationFee"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-71a0-b801-ee0da035b916" xlink:to="loc_laz_BusinessCombinationTerminationFee_019e83f8-529e-7fa2-9e5c-2758f9633e93" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATIONChangeinAccountingPrincipleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATIONChangeinAccountingPrincipleDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/ORGANIZATIONANDBASISOFPRESENTATIONChangeinAccountingPrincipleDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_019e2241-26fd-79da-b6aa-2c9ef3fc5d7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_019e2241-26fd-75f8-9b81-42a7d56f058c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_019e2241-26fd-79da-b6aa-2c9ef3fc5d7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_019e2241-26fd-75f8-9b81-42a7d56f058c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-71f6-8a9e-1113597ec630" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_019e2241-26fd-75f8-9b81-42a7d56f058c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-71f6-8a9e-1113597ec630" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-26fd-71f6-8a9e-1113597ec630_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-71f6-8a9e-1113597ec630" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-26fd-71f6-8a9e-1113597ec630_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-26fd-70b6-924f-1ff7331cdcc1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-71f6-8a9e-1113597ec630" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-26fd-70b6-924f-1ff7331cdcc1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ShareBasedAwardsAndDeferredCompensationArrangementWithServiceConditionMember_019e2241-26fd-7012-a64f-6509d2562fb7" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ShareBasedAwardsAndDeferredCompensationArrangementWithServiceConditionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-26fd-70b6-924f-1ff7331cdcc1" xlink:to="loc_laz_ShareBasedAwardsAndDeferredCompensationArrangementWithServiceConditionMember_019e2241-26fd-7012-a64f-6509d2562fb7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_019e2241-26fd-7fea-ac80-b388a4a12dad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RestatementAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_019e2241-26fd-75f8-9b81-42a7d56f058c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_019e2241-26fd-7fea-ac80-b388a4a12dad" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019e2241-26fd-7fea-ac80-b388a4a12dad_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RestatementDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_019e2241-26fd-7fea-ac80-b388a4a12dad" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019e2241-26fd-7fea-ac80-b388a4a12dad_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019e2241-26fd-77f1-808c-cf73480c4961" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RestatementDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_019e2241-26fd-7fea-ac80-b388a4a12dad" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019e2241-26fd-77f1-808c-cf73480c4961" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember_019e2241-26fd-7fc2-84f4-9b422169bf0a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019e2241-26fd-77f1-808c-cf73480c4961" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember_019e2241-26fd-7fc2-84f4-9b422169bf0a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RevisionOfPriorPeriodChangeInAccountingPrincipleAdjustmentMember_019e2241-26fd-7947-8178-912f9b900ca2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RevisionOfPriorPeriodChangeInAccountingPrincipleAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019e2241-26fd-77f1-808c-cf73480c4961" xlink:to="loc_srt_RevisionOfPriorPeriodChangeInAccountingPrincipleAdjustmentMember_019e2241-26fd-7947-8178-912f9b900ca2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-7d21-8c74-1c30f589cfcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_019e2241-26fd-75f8-9b81-42a7d56f058c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-7d21-8c74-1c30f589cfcc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7d21-8c74-1c30f589cfcc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-7d21-8c74-1c30f589cfcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7d21-8c74-1c30f589cfcc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7f61-a92c-6f1332c20be8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-7d21-8c74-1c30f589cfcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7f61-a92c-6f1332c20be8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e2241-26fd-7e74-b78f-a10a44dc56c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7f61-a92c-6f1332c20be8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e2241-26fd-7e74-b78f-a10a44dc56c3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019e2241-26fd-7199-9390-28ca2eecb4da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7f61-a92c-6f1332c20be8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019e2241-26fd-7199-9390-28ca2eecb4da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019e2241-26fd-7033-9f52-d6af18437ef2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_019e2241-26fd-79da-b6aa-2c9ef3fc5d7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019e2241-26fd-7033-9f52-d6af18437ef2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7b90-ade5-3713e1691b51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_019e2241-26fd-79da-b6aa-2c9ef3fc5d7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7b90-ade5-3713e1691b51" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_019e2241-26fd-7a8c-8524-6ea4eedeeb92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7b90-ade5-3713e1691b51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_019e2241-26fd-7a8c-8524-6ea4eedeeb92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_019e2241-26fd-7252-a8c2-6ecc3f039a9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7b90-ade5-3713e1691b51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_019e2241-26fd-7252-a8c2-6ecc3f039a9d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7c79-ad96-71774214641b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7b90-ade5-3713e1691b51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7c79-ad96-71774214641b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_019e2241-26fd-7417-8b68-85b187b52c8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7c79-ad96-71774214641b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_019e2241-26fd-7417-8b68-85b187b52c8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_019e2241-26fd-7acd-a3ce-5edc56609e30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7c79-ad96-71774214641b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_019e2241-26fd-7acd-a3ce-5edc56609e30" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019e2241-26fd-7304-ac1e-d0a92b47e35a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7c79-ad96-71774214641b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019e2241-26fd-7304-ac1e-d0a92b47e35a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e2241-26fd-70f3-a64b-2bd7b3b22cf2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7c79-ad96-71774214641b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e2241-26fd-70f3-a64b-2bd7b3b22cf2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7aa1-8c7d-c25de53c583b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_019e2241-26fd-79da-b6aa-2c9ef3fc5d7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e2241-26fd-7aa1-8c7d-c25de53c583b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e2241-26fd-7f62-9af8-ae1c4d87cf2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAsset_019e2241-26fd-7960-870b-584a7b2b8e2d" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PrepaidCompensationAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_019e2241-26fd-79da-b6aa-2c9ef3fc5d7e" xlink:to="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAsset_019e2241-26fd-7960-870b-584a7b2b8e2d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/REVENUERECOGNITIONDisaggregationofRevenueBasedonBusinessSegmentResultsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#REVENUERECOGNITIONDisaggregationofRevenueBasedonBusinessSegmentResultsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/REVENUERECOGNITIONDisaggregationofRevenueBasedonBusinessSegmentResultsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7cff-b18d-06977698ffb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e2241-26fd-7043-9314-9225de54013f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7cff-b18d-06977698ffb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e2241-26fd-7043-9314-9225de54013f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a9d-b453-917784a30af7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e2241-26fd-7043-9314-9225de54013f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a9d-b453-917784a30af7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7a9d-b453-917784a30af7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a9d-b453-917784a30af7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-26fd-7a9d-b453-917784a30af7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-26fd-783a-837a-e70c49702d95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a9d-b453-917784a30af7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-26fd-783a-837a-e70c49702d95" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_FinancialAdvisorySegmentMember_019e2241-26fd-7a4e-9510-669286a84831" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_FinancialAdvisorySegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-26fd-783a-837a-e70c49702d95" xlink:to="loc_laz_FinancialAdvisorySegmentMember_019e2241-26fd-7a4e-9510-669286a84831" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_AssetManagementSegmentMember_019e2241-26fd-7ae8-b03b-9895ef2b1770" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_AssetManagementSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-26fd-783a-837a-e70c49702d95" xlink:to="loc_laz_AssetManagementSegmentMember_019e2241-26fd-7ae8-b03b-9895ef2b1770" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e2241-26fd-735b-9bf5-90fc9996e7ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e2241-26fd-7043-9314-9225de54013f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e2241-26fd-735b-9bf5-90fc9996e7ef" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-735b-9bf5-90fc9996e7ef_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e2241-26fd-735b-9bf5-90fc9996e7ef" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-735b-9bf5-90fc9996e7ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-703a-af9b-58bbbedb1aa5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e2241-26fd-735b-9bf5-90fc9996e7ef" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-703a-af9b-58bbbedb1aa5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ManagementFeesMember_019e2241-26fd-7a4b-9106-c1edb56d177a" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ManagementFeesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-703a-af9b-58bbbedb1aa5" xlink:to="loc_laz_ManagementFeesMember_019e2241-26fd-7a4b-9106-c1edb56d177a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_IncentiveFeesMember_019e2241-26fd-75a6-8fa4-4aecd5c7b8d3" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_IncentiveFeesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-703a-af9b-58bbbedb1aa5" xlink:to="loc_laz_IncentiveFeesMember_019e2241-26fd-75a6-8fa4-4aecd5c7b8d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_019e2241-26fd-7b12-9e46-fe4723ae7f2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e2241-26fd-703a-af9b-58bbbedb1aa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_019e2241-26fd-7b12-9e46-fe4723ae7f2a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e2241-26fd-7e19-a06a-1cfd686dbdf8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7cff-b18d-06977698ffb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e2241-26fd-7e19-a06a-1cfd686dbdf8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/RECEIVABLESANDALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#RECEIVABLESANDALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/RECEIVABLESANDALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7192-97f7-65bde3c4321c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019e2241-26fd-7cec-89a6-2c5061d8b7b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7192-97f7-65bde3c4321c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019e2241-26fd-7cec-89a6-2c5061d8b7b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-7b3f-9c6a-8f7eed48fd7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019e2241-26fd-7cec-89a6-2c5061d8b7b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-7b3f-9c6a-8f7eed48fd7d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-7b3f-9c6a-8f7eed48fd7d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-7b3f-9c6a-8f7eed48fd7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-7b3f-9c6a-8f7eed48fd7d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-7233-92b0-9d86791da4f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-7b3f-9c6a-8f7eed48fd7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-7233-92b0-9d86791da4f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_CustomerAndOtherReceivablesMember_019e2241-26fd-7048-aeee-c6d8f45b7eee" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_CustomerAndOtherReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-7233-92b0-9d86791da4f3" xlink:to="loc_laz_CustomerAndOtherReceivablesMember_019e2241-26fd-7048-aeee-c6d8f45b7eee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_FinancingFeeReceivable_019e2241-26fd-78fd-97ac-073c23bb4394" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_FinancingFeeReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7192-97f7-65bde3c4321c" xlink:to="loc_laz_FinancingFeeReceivable_019e2241-26fd-78fd-97ac-073c23bb4394" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_CustomerLoans_019e2241-26fd-7265-92b0-900aae5ef724" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_CustomerLoans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7192-97f7-65bde3c4321c" xlink:to="loc_laz_CustomerLoans_019e2241-26fd-7265-92b0-900aae5ef724" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_OtherFeesAndCustomersAndOtherReceivablesNotDiscussedElsewhereInTheNote_019e2241-26fd-70d3-9926-75ce2f699c48" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_OtherFeesAndCustomersAndOtherReceivablesNotDiscussedElsewhereInTheNote"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7192-97f7-65bde3c4321c" xlink:to="loc_laz_OtherFeesAndCustomersAndOtherReceivablesNotDiscussedElsewhereInTheNote_019e2241-26fd-70d3-9926-75ce2f699c48" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/INVESTMENTSInvestmentsandSecuritiesSoldnotyetPurchasedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#INVESTMENTSInvestmentsandSecuritiesSoldnotyetPurchasedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/INVESTMENTSInvestmentsandSecuritiesSoldnotyetPurchasedDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019e2241-26fd-707b-8b1b-ebc92915a832" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_019e2241-26fd-721e-95e1-1b00d8f838f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019e2241-26fd-707b-8b1b-ebc92915a832" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_019e2241-26fd-721e-95e1-1b00d8f838f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7ca3-9b11-20fdb8f6b62b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_019e2241-26fd-721e-95e1-1b00d8f838f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7ca3-9b11-20fdb8f6b62b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7ca3-9b11-20fdb8f6b62b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7ca3-9b11-20fdb8f6b62b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7ca3-9b11-20fdb8f6b62b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7b2a-88ec-74cfa28def36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7ca3-9b11-20fdb8f6b62b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7b2a-88ec-74cfa28def36" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-763c-b321-2eece7136b43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7b2a-88ec-74cfa28def36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-763c-b321-2eece7136b43" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-70cf-a28f-ef691252cac9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7b2a-88ec-74cfa28def36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-70cf-a28f-ef691252cac9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_FundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7b52-89ed-f5008e6321fb" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_FundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7b2a-88ec-74cfa28def36" xlink:to="loc_laz_FundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7b52-89ed-f5008e6321fb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_AlternativeInvestmentsMember_019e2241-26fd-7ae9-80f0-ca0da859ce4b" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_AlternativeInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_FundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7b52-89ed-f5008e6321fb" xlink:to="loc_laz_AlternativeInvestmentsMember_019e2241-26fd-7ae9-80f0-ca0da859ce4b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7f72-8cfd-29b072fd18c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_FundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7b52-89ed-f5008e6321fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7f72-8cfd-29b072fd18c6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7026-92d0-fa92b4a9d631" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_FundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7b52-89ed-f5008e6321fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7026-92d0-fa92b4a9d631" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-75a4-93ce-800a8c2d6d92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_FundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7b52-89ed-f5008e6321fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-75a4-93ce-800a8c2d6d92" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-26fd-796a-9f5e-84975716ce22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_019e2241-26fd-721e-95e1-1b00d8f838f0" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-26fd-796a-9f5e-84975716ce22" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-26fd-796a-9f5e-84975716ce22_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-26fd-796a-9f5e-84975716ce22" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-26fd-796a-9f5e-84975716ce22_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-26fd-756c-bb9d-c341acce17d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-26fd-796a-9f5e-84975716ce22" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-26fd-756c-bb9d-c341acce17d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestMember_019e2241-26fd-799f-9986-3c73c71f545e" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardFundInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-26fd-756c-bb9d-c341acce17d2" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestMember_019e2241-26fd-799f-9986-3c73c71f545e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-721c-983e-07b6e76c76b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_019e2241-26fd-721e-95e1-1b00d8f838f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-721c-983e-07b6e76c76b7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-721c-983e-07b6e76c76b7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-721c-983e-07b6e76c76b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-721c-983e-07b6e76c76b7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-79b9-adc5-ac2cb14dbae0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-721c-983e-07b6e76c76b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-79b9-adc5-ac2cb14dbae0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-72a6-9f3a-a275e8a6b4c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-79b9-adc5-ac2cb14dbae0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-72a6-9f3a-a275e8a6b4c8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Investments_019e2241-26fd-712a-ab82-70348ff4e7c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Investments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019e2241-26fd-707b-8b1b-ebc92915a832" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Investments_019e2241-26fd-712a-ab82-70348ff4e7c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosureExcludingEquityMethodInvestments_019e2241-26fd-75cf-b84d-c9112e940cef" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosureExcludingEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019e2241-26fd-707b-8b1b-ebc92915a832" xlink:to="loc_laz_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosureExcludingEquityMethodInvestments_019e2241-26fd-75cf-b84d-c9112e940cef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_019e2241-26fd-7feb-8e5d-0d862e127a91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019e2241-26fd-707b-8b1b-ebc92915a832" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_019e2241-26fd-7feb-8e5d-0d862e127a91" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnfundedCommittments_019e2241-26fd-70f1-a5e8-6188452e2cdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnfundedCommittments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019e2241-26fd-707b-8b1b-ebc92915a832" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnfundedCommittments_019e2241-26fd-70f1-a5e8-6188452e2cdd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/INVESTMENTSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#INVESTMENTSAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/INVESTMENTSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7e6c-806e-baf18cc50740" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_019e2241-26fd-7bb8-a333-7e44de75a28e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7e6c-806e-baf18cc50740" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_019e2241-26fd-7bb8-a333-7e44de75a28e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusAxis_019e2241-26fd-7918-8247-d07b0248f5a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PledgedStatusAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_019e2241-26fd-7bb8-a333-7e44de75a28e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusAxis_019e2241-26fd-7918-8247-d07b0248f5a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain_019e2241-26fd-7918-8247-d07b0248f5a4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusAxis_019e2241-26fd-7918-8247-d07b0248f5a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain_019e2241-26fd-7918-8247-d07b0248f5a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain_019e2241-26fd-7304-9723-00031cf08704" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusAxis_019e2241-26fd-7918-8247-d07b0248f5a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain_019e2241-26fd-7304-9723-00031cf08704" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetPledgedAsCollateralMember_019e2241-26fd-73a2-870b-798275e3fc75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetPledgedAsCollateralMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PledgedStatusDomain_019e2241-26fd-7304-9723-00031cf08704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetPledgedAsCollateralMember_019e2241-26fd-73a2-870b-798275e3fc75" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Investments_019e2241-26fd-7850-9215-3369909f2c8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Investments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7e6c-806e-baf18cc50740" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Investments_019e2241-26fd-7850-9215-3369909f2c8a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSScheduleofFairValueAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredonRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSScheduleofFairValueAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredonRecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSScheduleofFairValueAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredonRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7375-b139-a21befcf336b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e2241-26fd-7aca-ba83-12d280dbff41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7375-b139-a21befcf336b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e2241-26fd-7aca-ba83-12d280dbff41" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e2241-26fd-7162-b550-89fcbe317381" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e2241-26fd-7aca-ba83-12d280dbff41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e2241-26fd-7162-b550-89fcbe317381" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e2241-26fd-7162-b550-89fcbe317381_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e2241-26fd-7162-b550-89fcbe317381" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e2241-26fd-7162-b550-89fcbe317381_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e2241-26fd-7442-a2a6-77b5692bdd08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e2241-26fd-7162-b550-89fcbe317381" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e2241-26fd-7442-a2a6-77b5692bdd08" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_019e2241-26fd-7fdb-80d1-85d50aaed9e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e2241-26fd-7442-a2a6-77b5692bdd08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_019e2241-26fd-7fdb-80d1-85d50aaed9e9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e2241-26fd-7f8a-a644-f1dd694f3ec3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e2241-26fd-7aca-ba83-12d280dbff41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e2241-26fd-7f8a-a644-f1dd694f3ec3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e2241-26fd-7f8a-a644-f1dd694f3ec3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e2241-26fd-7f8a-a644-f1dd694f3ec3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e2241-26fd-7f8a-a644-f1dd694f3ec3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e2241-26fd-775c-92b5-f6a8ed2879c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e2241-26fd-7f8a-a644-f1dd694f3ec3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e2241-26fd-775c-92b5-f6a8ed2879c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e2241-26fd-720d-b139-dac70ae23910" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e2241-26fd-775c-92b5-f6a8ed2879c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e2241-26fd-720d-b139-dac70ae23910" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e2241-26fd-7acc-8692-525b12f6e1ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e2241-26fd-775c-92b5-f6a8ed2879c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e2241-26fd-7acc-8692-525b12f6e1ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e2241-26fd-712c-a195-07d78ada3a6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e2241-26fd-775c-92b5-f6a8ed2879c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e2241-26fd-712c-a195-07d78ada3a6b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember_019e2241-26fd-7903-9486-ff8c8b6a941e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e2241-26fd-775c-92b5-f6a8ed2879c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember_019e2241-26fd-7903-9486-ff8c8b6a941e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-7ac9-90bb-6111172df671" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e2241-26fd-7aca-ba83-12d280dbff41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-7ac9-90bb-6111172df671" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-7ac9-90bb-6111172df671_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-7ac9-90bb-6111172df671" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-7ac9-90bb-6111172df671_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-7624-a6ff-2abcd2d2b0da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-26fd-7ac9-90bb-6111172df671" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-7624-a6ff-2abcd2d2b0da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-7c2c-83e4-c9eb001b783d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-26fd-7624-a6ff-2abcd2d2b0da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-7c2c-83e4-c9eb001b783d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-780d-97cd-54fdb31ce952" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e2241-26fd-7aca-ba83-12d280dbff41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-780d-97cd-54fdb31ce952" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_019e2241-26fd-780d-97cd-54fdb31ce952_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-780d-97cd-54fdb31ce952" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_019e2241-26fd-780d-97cd-54fdb31ce952_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_019e2241-26fd-7744-802f-04f50e4bdbe9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_019e2241-26fd-780d-97cd-54fdb31ce952" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_019e2241-26fd-7744-802f-04f50e4bdbe9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-75b1-a506-2096f196d215" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_019e2241-26fd-7744-802f-04f50e4bdbe9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-75b1-a506-2096f196d215" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7706-a443-f5036ac8e19d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e2241-26fd-7aca-ba83-12d280dbff41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7706-a443-f5036ac8e19d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7706-a443-f5036ac8e19d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7706-a443-f5036ac8e19d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7706-a443-f5036ac8e19d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-72f1-991b-3dfa1c905cff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7706-a443-f5036ac8e19d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-72f1-991b-3dfa1c905cff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-7c92-be62-9c427c5d0bd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-72f1-991b-3dfa1c905cff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-7c92-be62-9c427c5d0bd5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-7d7a-b3f3-a8fe7b602cca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-72f1-991b-3dfa1c905cff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-7d7a-b3f3-a8fe7b602cca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_AlternativeInvestmentsMember_019e2241-26fd-7aad-a899-c5516971bad9" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_AlternativeInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-72f1-991b-3dfa1c905cff" xlink:to="loc_laz_AlternativeInvestmentsMember_019e2241-26fd-7aad-a899-c5516971bad9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7200-a1b5-0a2b4e1355b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-72f1-991b-3dfa1c905cff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7200-a1b5-0a2b4e1355b2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7fcd-b0d6-6a4f65bdae59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-72f1-991b-3dfa1c905cff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7fcd-b0d6-6a4f65bdae59" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7f31-b965-7fa904f82b6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-72f1-991b-3dfa1c905cff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7f31-b965-7fa904f82b6b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DepositsWithBanksAndShortTermInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_019e2241-26fd-7712-8a4a-7e6d7503239b" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DepositsWithBanksAndShortTermInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7375-b139-a21befcf336b" xlink:to="loc_laz_DepositsWithBanksAndShortTermInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_019e2241-26fd-7712-8a4a-7e6d7503239b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_RestrictedCashFairValueDisclosure_019e2241-26fd-7e70-a493-09d514961cca" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_RestrictedCashFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7375-b139-a21befcf336b" xlink:to="loc_laz_RestrictedCashFairValueDisclosure_019e2241-26fd-7e70-a493-09d514961cca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosureExcludingEquityMethodInvestments_019e2241-26fd-7edd-873d-2c385578185d" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosureExcludingEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7375-b139-a21befcf336b" xlink:to="loc_laz_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosureExcludingEquityMethodInvestments_019e2241-26fd-7edd-873d-2c385578185d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e2241-26fd-75e7-a06e-a33b0a9a3dcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7375-b139-a21befcf336b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e2241-26fd-75e7-a06e-a33b0a9a3dcc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleEnumeration_019e2241-26fd-70ac-90e4-64e92e9b85a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleEnumeration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e2241-26fd-75e7-a06e-a33b0a9a3dcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleEnumeration_019e2241-26fd-70ac-90e4-64e92e9b85a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_019e2241-26fd-7449-9b81-aefd8afe7871" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7375-b139-a21befcf336b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_019e2241-26fd-7449-9b81-aefd8afe7871" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue_019e2241-26fd-7124-94b4-3d3d1ca812bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7375-b139-a21befcf336b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsSoldNotYetPurchasedAtFairValue_019e2241-26fd-7124-94b4-3d3d1ca812bd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_019e2241-26fd-7de6-91bd-1249c58b944b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7375-b139-a21befcf336b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_019e2241-26fd-7de6-91bd-1249c58b944b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019e2241-26fd-7ec8-93cc-876d8779200e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7375-b139-a21befcf336b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019e2241-26fd-7ec8-93cc-876d8779200e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleEnumeration_019e2241-26fd-72b8-8a7e-1caf93e8b20e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleEnumeration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019e2241-26fd-7ec8-93cc-876d8779200e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleEnumeration_019e2241-26fd-72b8-8a7e-1caf93e8b20e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_019e2241-26fd-7fd8-bb34-9da6a9fadc7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7375-b139-a21befcf336b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_019e2241-26fd-7fd8-bb34-9da6a9fadc7b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSSummaryofChangesinFairValueofCompanysLevel3AssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSSummaryofChangesinFairValueofCompanysLevel3AssetsandLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSSummaryofChangesinFairValueofCompanysLevel3AssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-704b-9a38-3b2aaa95a6d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019e2241-26fd-7332-9492-927bd74ace18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-704b-9a38-3b2aaa95a6d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019e2241-26fd-7332-9492-927bd74ace18" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7825-9644-87ad1a304c1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019e2241-26fd-7332-9492-927bd74ace18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7825-9644-87ad1a304c1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7825-9644-87ad1a304c1b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7825-9644-87ad1a304c1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7825-9644-87ad1a304c1b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-73b6-a802-e8989d8a8f93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7825-9644-87ad1a304c1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-73b6-a802-e8989d8a8f93" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-76d8-aed3-a19fc0910b75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-73b6-a802-e8989d8a8f93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_019e2241-26fd-76d8-aed3-a19fc0910b75" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7be2-a8da-37dea34524f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-73b6-a802-e8989d8a8f93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7be2-a8da-37dea34524f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a90-acb3-99c50aa2521e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019e2241-26fd-7332-9492-927bd74ace18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a90-acb3-99c50aa2521e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_019e2241-26fd-7a90-acb3-99c50aa2521e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a90-acb3-99c50aa2521e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_019e2241-26fd-7a90-acb3-99c50aa2521e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_019e2241-26fd-7ce4-aca0-eb7d98a906c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a90-acb3-99c50aa2521e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_019e2241-26fd-7ce4-aca0-eb7d98a906c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_019e2241-26fd-733f-9b37-15214deb90cd" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_019e2241-26fd-7ce4-aca0-eb7d98a906c8" xlink:to="loc_laz_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_019e2241-26fd-733f-9b37-15214deb90cd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7961-a8b9-10f01f585207" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-704b-9a38-3b2aaa95a6d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7961-a8b9-10f01f585207" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue_019e2241-26fd-7162-a5ce-0d89f5ea271a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7961-a8b9-10f01f585207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue_019e2241-26fd-7162-a5ce-0d89f5ea271a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1_019e2241-26fd-7ed4-ac1c-474bd22fa28d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7961-a8b9-10f01f585207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1_019e2241-26fd-7ed4-ac1c-474bd22fa28d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchases_019e2241-26fd-70b4-be8b-96434dda4f84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7961-a8b9-10f01f585207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchases_019e2241-26fd-70b4-be8b-96434dda4f84" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales_019e2241-26fd-72c2-926d-2aff2e9e5dcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7961-a8b9-10f01f585207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales_019e2241-26fd-72c2-926d-2aff2e9e5dcb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments_019e2241-26fd-7ae7-8559-a9e29d982fde" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7961-a8b9-10f01f585207" xlink:to="loc_laz_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments_019e2241-26fd-7ae7-8559-a9e29d982fde" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue_019e2241-26fd-7d75-8c6c-40e32c04e834" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAssetGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList_019e2241-26fd-787c-8650-1b4b097638ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAssetGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-7961-a8b9-10f01f585207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAssetGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList_019e2241-26fd-787c-8650-1b4b097638ce" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-74e1-854b-0ca5c005af44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019e2241-26fd-704b-9a38-3b2aaa95a6d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-74e1-854b-0ca5c005af44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue_019e2241-26fd-7014-8062-03ad6daf5d71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-74e1-854b-0ca5c005af44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue_019e2241-26fd-7014-8062-03ad6daf5d71" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings_019e2241-26fd-71a3-815f-85d3a6d8c3e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-74e1-854b-0ca5c005af44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings_019e2241-26fd-71a3-815f-85d3a6d8c3e2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPurchases_019e2241-26fd-7af0-9bb6-278b2cb59c03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPurchases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-74e1-854b-0ca5c005af44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPurchases_019e2241-26fd-7af0-9bb6-278b2cb59c03" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySales_019e2241-26fd-74c1-8108-d670b415c11a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySales"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-74e1-854b-0ca5c005af44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySales_019e2241-26fd-74c1-8108-d670b415c11a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments_019e2241-26fd-717a-866a-0381c42b58d0" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019e2241-26fd-74e1-854b-0ca5c005af44" xlink:to="loc_laz_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustments_019e2241-26fd-717a-866a-0381c42b58d0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue_019e2241-26fd-7f1d-9f34-fd22aa5a65b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSFairValueofCertainInvestmentsBasedonNAVDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSFairValueofCertainInvestmentsBasedonNAVDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSFairValueofCertainInvestmentsBasedonNAVDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7818-948b-a8f1e670dca4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable_019e2241-26fd-7989-96a2-585d4edf8184" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7818-948b-a8f1e670dca4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable_019e2241-26fd-7989-96a2-585d4edf8184" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a1f-933f-3db836760704" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable_019e2241-26fd-7989-96a2-585d4edf8184" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a1f-933f-3db836760704" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7a1f-933f-3db836760704_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a1f-933f-3db836760704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-7a1f-933f-3db836760704_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-751b-9228-a84126fcc626" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_019e2241-26fd-7a1f-933f-3db836760704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-751b-9228-a84126fcc626" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7f2b-b6b0-9f461de3ae2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-751b-9228-a84126fcc626" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgeFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7f2b-b6b0-9f461de3ae2f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_OtherAlternativeInvestmentsMember_019e2241-26fd-793d-9b43-49089edd6844" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_OtherAlternativeInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-751b-9228-a84126fcc626" xlink:to="loc_laz_OtherAlternativeInvestmentsMember_019e2241-26fd-793d-9b43-49089edd6844" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7794-8f99-c5408e97d709" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-751b-9228-a84126fcc626" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedIncomeFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7794-8f99-c5408e97d709" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-75df-88b0-39c31e9d19c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-751b-9228-a84126fcc626" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-75df-88b0-39c31e9d19c8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7150-a33d-3459d23b1870" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_019e2241-26fd-751b-9228-a84126fcc626" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_019e2241-26fd-7150-a33d-3459d23b1870" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesByIndustryAxis_019e2241-26fd-7389-94b9-c8b2b1bd61fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesByIndustryAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable_019e2241-26fd-7989-96a2-585d4edf8184" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesByIndustryAxis_019e2241-26fd-7389-94b9-c8b2b1bd61fe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesIndustryMember_019e2241-26fd-7389-94b9-c8b2b1bd61fe_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesIndustryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesByIndustryAxis_019e2241-26fd-7389-94b9-c8b2b1bd61fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesIndustryMember_019e2241-26fd-7389-94b9-c8b2b1bd61fe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesIndustryMember_019e2241-26fd-7958-b57c-e5baa56526d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesIndustryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesByIndustryAxis_019e2241-26fd-7389-94b9-c8b2b1bd61fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesIndustryMember_019e2241-26fd-7958-b57c-e5baa56526d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_EquityGrowthMember_019e2241-26fd-788f-ab23-db9f64ca97b8" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_EquityGrowthMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesIndustryMember_019e2241-26fd-7958-b57c-e5baa56526d1" xlink:to="loc_laz_EquityGrowthMember_019e2241-26fd-788f-ab23-db9f64ca97b8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-26fd-75d4-b4a5-1fa5a6b4d0cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable_019e2241-26fd-7989-96a2-585d4edf8184" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-26fd-75d4-b4a5-1fa5a6b4d0cc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-26fd-75d4-b4a5-1fa5a6b4d0cc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-26fd-75d4-b4a5-1fa5a6b4d0cc" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-26fd-75d4-b4a5-1fa5a6b4d0cc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-26fd-7496-8aa5-e6a244a5aa2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-26fd-75d4-b4a5-1fa5a6b4d0cc" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-26fd-7496-8aa5-e6a244a5aa2b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e2241-26fd-7621-88e0-180d6aca7d8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-26fd-7496-8aa5-e6a244a5aa2b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e2241-26fd-7621-88e0-180d6aca7d8b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e2241-26fd-7697-927b-809181302f83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-26fd-7496-8aa5-e6a244a5aa2b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e2241-26fd-7697-927b-809181302f83" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyAxis_019e2241-26fd-74ee-85a4-f015ae70b9ab" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareTable_019e2241-26fd-7989-96a2-585d4edf8184" xlink:to="loc_laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyAxis_019e2241-26fd-74ee-85a4-f015ae70b9ab" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyDomain_019e2241-26fd-74ee-85a4-f015ae70b9ab_default" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyAxis_019e2241-26fd-74ee-85a4-f015ae70b9ab" xlink:to="loc_laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyDomain_019e2241-26fd-74ee-85a4-f015ae70b9ab_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyDomain_019e2241-26fd-7420-b254-bfb9eb52a4b3" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyAxis_019e2241-26fd-74ee-85a4-f015ae70b9ab" xlink:to="loc_laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyDomain_019e2241-26fd-7420-b254-bfb9eb52a4b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_MonthlyMember_019e2241-26fd-7e56-b74f-f0854994207e" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_MonthlyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyDomain_019e2241-26fd-7420-b254-bfb9eb52a4b3" xlink:to="loc_laz_MonthlyMember_019e2241-26fd-7e56-b74f-f0854994207e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DailyMember_019e2241-26fd-71df-8d0b-6abab6199f07" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DailyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_InvestmentRedemptionFrequencyDomain_019e2241-26fd-7420-b254-bfb9eb52a4b3" xlink:to="loc_laz_DailyMember_019e2241-26fd-71df-8d0b-6abab6199f07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AlternativeInvestment_019e2241-26fd-76eb-bb1f-f5be2ed41c5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AlternativeInvestment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7818-948b-a8f1e670dca4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AlternativeInvestment_019e2241-26fd-76eb-bb1f-f5be2ed41c5a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PercentageOfNAVInvestmentsNotRedeemable_019e2241-26fd-7678-ad6b-47d5aa7d569a" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PercentageOfNAVInvestmentsNotRedeemable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7818-948b-a8f1e670dca4" xlink:to="loc_laz_PercentageOfNAVInvestmentsNotRedeemable_019e2241-26fd-7678-ad6b-47d5aa7d569a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionNoticePeriod1_019e2241-26fd-7949-bec0-ce1b10b8ed89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionNoticePeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7818-948b-a8f1e670dca4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionNoticePeriod1_019e2241-26fd-7949-bec0-ce1b10b8ed89" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionFrequencyPercentage_019e2241-26fd-7b24-a791-f9021c927076" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionFrequencyPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareLineItems_019e2241-26fd-7818-948b-a8f1e670dca4" xlink:to="loc_laz_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareInvestmentRedemptionFrequencyPercentage_019e2241-26fd-7b24-a791-f9021c927076" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/DERIVATIVESFairValuesofDerivativesReportedonCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofFinancialConditionDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#DERIVATIVESFairValuesofDerivativesReportedonCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofFinancialConditionDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/DERIVATIVESFairValuesofDerivativesReportedonCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofFinancialConditionDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019e2241-26fd-707c-a440-481db529a6ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019e2241-26fd-707c-a440-481db529a6ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-26fd-7d37-8610-12954218c1e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019e2241-26fd-707c-a440-481db529a6ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-26fd-7d37-8610-12954218c1e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-26fd-7d37-8610-12954218c1e3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-26fd-7d37-8610-12954218c1e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-26fd-7d37-8610-12954218c1e3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-26fd-7282-b6cb-43ee1d780101" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-26fd-7d37-8610-12954218c1e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-26fd-7282-b6cb-43ee1d780101" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_019e2241-26fd-72de-a981-aef7543c61f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-26fd-7282-b6cb-43ee1d780101" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_019e2241-26fd-72de-a981-aef7543c61f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ReturnSwapsAndOtherMember_019e2241-26fd-7897-ab56-5477595ff47d" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ReturnSwapsAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-26fd-7282-b6cb-43ee1d780101" xlink:to="loc_laz_ReturnSwapsAndOtherMember_019e2241-26fd-7897-ab56-5477595ff47d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestsAndOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember_019e2241-26fd-77b4-81f0-8913c30e9911" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardFundInterestsAndOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-26fd-7282-b6cb-43ee1d780101" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestsAndOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember_019e2241-26fd-77b4-81f0-8913c30e9911" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_OtherAssetsAndOtherLiabilitiesMember_019e2241-26fd-7a11-b846-44e2d9d21a8b" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_OtherAssetsAndOtherLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-26fd-7282-b6cb-43ee1d780101" xlink:to="loc_laz_OtherAssetsAndOtherLiabilitiesMember_019e2241-26fd-7a11-b846-44e2d9d21a8b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019e2241-26fd-7797-97f9-1eb5a0c7cc6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019e2241-26fd-7797-97f9-1eb5a0c7cc6c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DerivativeFairValueCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNettingAmountOffsetAgainstGrossDerivativeAsset_019e2241-26fd-7d40-8f3e-3263937be133" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DerivativeFairValueCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNettingAmountOffsetAgainstGrossDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_laz_DerivativeFairValueCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNettingAmountOffsetAgainstGrossDerivativeAsset_019e2241-26fd-7d40-8f3e-3263937be133" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAssetAmountAfterOffsetAgainstCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNetting_019e2241-26fd-77bd-84c2-f1676aae231c" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAssetAmountAfterOffsetAgainstCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNetting"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_laz_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAssetAmountAfterOffsetAgainstCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNetting_019e2241-26fd-77bd-84c2-f1676aae231c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DerivativeAssetSecurityPurchasedUnderAgreementToResellAndSecurityBorrowedSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementCollateralObligationToReturnCashSecurityNotOffset_019e2241-26fd-7b77-83e9-aa361a3a26aa" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DerivativeAssetSecurityPurchasedUnderAgreementToResellAndSecurityBorrowedSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementCollateralObligationToReturnCashSecurityNotOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_laz_DerivativeAssetSecurityPurchasedUnderAgreementToResellAndSecurityBorrowedSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementCollateralObligationToReturnCashSecurityNotOffset_019e2241-26fd-7b77-83e9-aa361a3a26aa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAssetAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral_019e2241-26fd-7c18-bf88-9d44f0858542" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAssetAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAssetAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral_019e2241-26fd-7c18-bf88-9d44f0858542" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount_019e2241-26fd-7dfe-bc09-862c57f8b6c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount_019e2241-26fd-7dfe-bc09-862c57f8b6c1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_019e2241-26fd-7b18-a4c8-5f5348fdb851" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_019e2241-26fd-7b18-a4c8-5f5348fdb851" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DerivativeFairValueCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNettingAmountOffsetAgainstGrossDerivativeLiability_019e2241-26fd-7555-ab2b-ddf1bea3c9e8" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DerivativeFairValueCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNettingAmountOffsetAgainstGrossDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_laz_DerivativeFairValueCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNettingAmountOffsetAgainstGrossDerivativeLiability_019e2241-26fd-7555-ab2b-ddf1bea3c9e8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityAmountAfterOffsetAgainstCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNetting_019e2241-26fd-751c-8e18-1a91e265ad59" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityAmountAfterOffsetAgainstCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNetting"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_laz_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityAmountAfterOffsetAgainstCounterpartyAndCashCollateralNetting_019e2241-26fd-751c-8e18-1a91e265ad59" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilitySecuritySoldUnderAgreementToRepurchaseAndSecurityLoanedSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementCollateralRightToReclaimCashSecurityNotOffset_019e2241-26fd-75e0-b518-007385d5641b" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DerivativeLiabilitySecuritySoldUnderAgreementToRepurchaseAndSecurityLoanedSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementCollateralRightToReclaimCashSecurityNotOffset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilitySecuritySoldUnderAgreementToRepurchaseAndSecurityLoanedSubjectToMasterNettingArrangementCollateralRightToReclaimCashSecurityNotOffset_019e2241-26fd-75e0-b518-007385d5641b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral_019e2241-26fd-7c38-99d1-b7d524ab296c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityAmountOffsetAgainstCollateral_019e2241-26fd-7c38-99d1-b7d524ab296c" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_019e2241-26fd-7f55-9a24-7566c9d12eb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e2241-26fd-73db-b726-a28c447eef35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_019e2241-26fd-7f55-9a24-7566c9d12eb9" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/DERIVATIVESNetGainsLosseswithRespecttoDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#DERIVATIVESNetGainsLosseswithRespecttoDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/DERIVATIVESNetGainsLosseswithRespecttoDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedasHedgingInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7031-be40-07e3b6235240" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_019e2241-27c3-7609-9285-e7155c1b07fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7031-be40-07e3b6235240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_019e2241-27c3-7609-9285-e7155c1b07fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-27c3-7e4d-a5ea-3ea477ed1a20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_019e2241-27c3-7609-9285-e7155c1b07fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-27c3-7e4d-a5ea-3ea477ed1a20" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-7e4d-a5ea-3ea477ed1a20_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-27c3-7e4d-a5ea-3ea477ed1a20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-7e4d-a5ea-3ea477ed1a20_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-701d-8a32-0a7139bd438e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-27c3-7e4d-a5ea-3ea477ed1a20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-701d-8a32-0a7139bd438e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_019e2241-27c3-7032-a47a-c9576673c751" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-701d-8a32-0a7139bd438e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_019e2241-27c3-7032-a47a-c9576673c751" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestsAndOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember_019e2241-27c3-7cbc-bdd2-cb4993f3c0e3" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardFundInterestsAndOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-701d-8a32-0a7139bd438e" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestsAndOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember_019e2241-27c3-7cbc-bdd2-cb4993f3c0e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ReturnSwapsAndOtherMember_019e2241-27c3-7ee1-9bb6-dc207a37c475" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ReturnSwapsAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-701d-8a32-0a7139bd438e" xlink:to="loc_laz_ReturnSwapsAndOtherMember_019e2241-27c3-7ee1-9bb6-dc207a37c475" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_019e2241-27c3-7936-b99f-d4c05fa2ef05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7031-be40-07e3b6235240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_019e2241-27c3-7936-b99f-d4c05fa2ef05" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet_019e2241-27c3-7d8e-baf2-115932d20fef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7031-be40-07e3b6235240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet_019e2241-27c3-7d8e-baf2-115932d20fef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossStatementOfIncomeOrComprehensiveIncomeExtensibleEnumeration_019e2241-27c3-7d6c-8d10-35fd50ffbaa6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossStatementOfIncomeOrComprehensiveIncomeExtensibleEnumeration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7031-be40-07e3b6235240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossStatementOfIncomeOrComprehensiveIncomeExtensibleEnumeration_019e2241-27c3-7d6c-8d10-35fd50ffbaa6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/PROPERTYNETComponentsofPropertyDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#PROPERTYNETComponentsofPropertyDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/PROPERTYNETComponentsofPropertyDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7d14-8c45-e42cdb45d240" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_019e2241-27c3-7b95-b8f0-00713192943e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7d14-8c45-e42cdb45d240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_019e2241-27c3-7b95-b8f0-00713192943e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019e2241-27c3-7236-879f-a294352cd833" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_019e2241-27c3-7b95-b8f0-00713192943e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019e2241-27c3-7236-879f-a294352cd833" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-7236-879f-a294352cd833_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019e2241-27c3-7236-879f-a294352cd833" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-7236-879f-a294352cd833_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-7e01-b15e-f4393f5c8615" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019e2241-27c3-7236-879f-a294352cd833" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-7e01-b15e-f4393f5c8615" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_019e2241-27c3-73c1-a742-368256a2c4ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-7e01-b15e-f4393f5c8615" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_019e2241-27c3-73c1-a742-368256a2c4ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_019e2241-27c3-7b63-90bc-f5e2322568db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-7e01-b15e-f4393f5c8615" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_019e2241-27c3-7b63-90bc-f5e2322568db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_FurnitureAndEquipmentMember_019e2241-27c3-7e2f-873e-68b98dfb2fed" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_FurnitureAndEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-7e01-b15e-f4393f5c8615" xlink:to="loc_laz_FurnitureAndEquipmentMember_019e2241-27c3-7e2f-873e-68b98dfb2fed" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_019e2241-27c3-708b-9ef0-d962bc9d791a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-7e01-b15e-f4393f5c8615" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_019e2241-27c3-708b-9ef0-d962bc9d791a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_019e2241-27c3-77a8-bf85-7cf4e07d9d9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019e2241-27c3-7e01-b15e-f4393f5c8615" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_019e2241-27c3-77a8-bf85-7cf4e07d9d9d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-27c3-79dc-8932-1c0915146d47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_019e2241-27c3-7b95-b8f0-00713192943e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-27c3-79dc-8932-1c0915146d47" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c3-79dc-8932-1c0915146d47_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-27c3-79dc-8932-1c0915146d47" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c3-79dc-8932-1c0915146d47_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c3-7697-9e06-6d806fead8ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-27c3-79dc-8932-1c0915146d47" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c3-7697-9e06-6d806fead8ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e2241-27c3-7d80-97f5-20ac236df7b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c3-7697-9e06-6d806fead8ae" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e2241-27c3-7d80-97f5-20ac236df7b8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e2241-27c3-7aa4-9360-9752ae4529ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c3-7697-9e06-6d806fead8ae" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e2241-27c3-7aa4-9360-9752ae4529ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_019e2241-27c3-78e2-b5b3-f94decd20a5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7d14-8c45-e42cdb45d240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_019e2241-27c3-78e2-b5b3-f94decd20a5b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_019e2241-27c3-7e4c-a2d4-72cd206bc730" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7d14-8c45-e42cdb45d240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_019e2241-27c3-7e4c-a2d4-72cd206bc730" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019e2241-27c3-7737-8ebb-82ad668a489f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7d14-8c45-e42cdb45d240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019e2241-27c3-7737-8ebb-82ad668a489f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_019e2241-27c3-7158-b172-4c50cc3b49ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7d14-8c45-e42cdb45d240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_019e2241-27c3-7158-b172-4c50cc3b49ac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSChangesinCarryingAmountofGoodwillDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSChangesinCarryingAmountofGoodwillDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/GOODWILLANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSChangesinCarryingAmountofGoodwillDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7a52-9d80-8e9664169a94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_019e2241-27c3-75eb-8fa8-0182fa93c93a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7a52-9d80-8e9664169a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_019e2241-27c3-75eb-8fa8-0182fa93c93a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-27c3-7502-9996-24b3a14b1b75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_019e2241-27c3-75eb-8fa8-0182fa93c93a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-27c3-7502-9996-24b3a14b1b75" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c3-7502-9996-24b3a14b1b75_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-27c3-7502-9996-24b3a14b1b75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c3-7502-9996-24b3a14b1b75_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c3-7a2a-961d-c8658a13d309" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-27c3-7502-9996-24b3a14b1b75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c3-7a2a-961d-c8658a13d309" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_FinancialAdvisorySegmentMember_019e2241-27c3-7f1a-b0a4-ca0c22e59791" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_FinancialAdvisorySegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c3-7a2a-961d-c8658a13d309" xlink:to="loc_laz_FinancialAdvisorySegmentMember_019e2241-27c3-7f1a-b0a4-ca0c22e59791" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_AssetManagementSegmentMember_019e2241-27c3-7ff9-9372-a118053ac279" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_AssetManagementSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c3-7a2a-961d-c8658a13d309" xlink:to="loc_laz_AssetManagementSegmentMember_019e2241-27c3-7ff9-9372-a118053ac279" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019f3ede-f7af-7e63-94d6-ff7c50617ad2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_019e2241-27c3-75eb-8fa8-0182fa93c93a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019f3ede-f7af-7e63-94d6-ff7c50617ad2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019f3ede-f7af-7e63-94d6-ff7c50617ad2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019f3ede-f7af-7e63-94d6-ff7c50617ad2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019f3ede-f7af-7e63-94d6-ff7c50617ad2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019f3ede-f7af-707e-92dc-9689a307489a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019f3ede-f7af-7e63-94d6-ff7c50617ad2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019f3ede-f7af-707e-92dc-9689a307489a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019f3edf-2c8e-799f-b759-6895b5ab3398" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019f3ede-f7af-707e-92dc-9689a307489a" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019f3edf-2c8e-799f-b759-6895b5ab3398" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019f3edf-4616-7539-8270-99cd1476717e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019f3ede-f7af-707e-92dc-9689a307489a" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019f3edf-4616-7539-8270-99cd1476717e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_019f3ee0-f2b5-7f13-bda6-bef53258bbed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7a52-9d80-8e9664169a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_019f3ee0-f2b5-7f13-bda6-bef53258bbed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_019f3edf-93bb-76e2-bd00-02afc0481342" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7a52-9d80-8e9664169a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_019f3edf-93bb-76e2-bd00-02afc0481342" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_019e2241-27c3-7837-8d04-3d338fd21ac4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_019e2241-27c3-7a52-9d80-8e9664169a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_019e2241-27c3-7837-8d04-3d338fd21ac4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019e2241-27c3-75d3-baaf-53575684befd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_019e2241-27c3-7837-8d04-3d338fd21ac4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019e2241-27c3-75d3-baaf-53575684befd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod_019f4876-fc03-7b74-b191-334c69852288" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_019e2241-27c3-7837-8d04-3d338fd21ac4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod_019f4876-fc03-7b74-b191-334c69852288" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit_019e2241-27c3-704c-a8e5-d54e45ab9ed6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_019e2241-27c3-7837-8d04-3d338fd21ac4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit_019e2241-27c3-704c-a8e5-d54e45ab9ed6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss_019e2241-27c4-7067-8781-8d9b54d9234b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_019e2241-27c3-7837-8d04-3d338fd21ac4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss_019e2241-27c4-7067-8781-8d9b54d9234b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019e2241-27c4-7d46-ac88-2ae3daf89580" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/SENIORDEBTSeniorDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#SENIORDEBTSeniorDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/SENIORDEBTSeniorDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ec2-973a-6cc3d72ffd02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e2241-27c4-7d5c-a030-a172510f19bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ec2-973a-6cc3d72ffd02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e2241-27c4-7d5c-a030-a172510f19bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e2241-27c4-74bb-8980-f4e5f63b14f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e2241-27c4-7d5c-a030-a172510f19bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e2241-27c4-74bb-8980-f4e5f63b14f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-74bb-8980-f4e5f63b14f9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e2241-27c4-74bb-8980-f4e5f63b14f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-74bb-8980-f4e5f63b14f9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7abb-a483-e46c8453bc53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e2241-27c4-74bb-8980-f4e5f63b14f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7abb-a483-e46c8453bc53" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardGroupFourPointFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesMember_019e2241-27c4-749d-9aa8-c6c696b9c9b4" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardGroupFourPointFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7abb-a483-e46c8453bc53" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardGroupFourPointFiveZeroPercentSeniorNotesMember_019e2241-27c4-749d-9aa8-c6c696b9c9b4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardGroupFourPointThreeSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesMember_019e2241-27c4-767f-b1d3-d514ee6598a2" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardGroupFourPointThreeSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7abb-a483-e46c8453bc53" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardGroupFourPointThreeSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesMember_019e2241-27c4-767f-b1d3-d514ee6598a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardGroupSixPercentSeniorNotesMember_019e2241-27c4-7908-97cf-dce9a2379553" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardGroupSixPercentSeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7abb-a483-e46c8453bc53" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardGroupSixPercentSeniorNotesMember_019e2241-27c4-7908-97cf-dce9a2379553" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardGroupFivePointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesMember_019e2241-27c4-7de0-9188-da9ac5844dd7" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardGroupFivePointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7abb-a483-e46c8453bc53" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardGroupFivePointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesMember_019e2241-27c4-7de0-9188-da9ac5844dd7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e2241-27c4-7d00-8ace-44cfe1c6c624" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ec2-973a-6cc3d72ffd02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e2241-27c4-7d00-8ace-44cfe1c6c624" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate_019e2241-27c4-7b44-b87a-3d8182d718c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ec2-973a-6cc3d72ffd02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate_019e2241-27c4-7b44-b87a-3d8182d718c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e2241-27c4-7611-8200-3087626de59c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ec2-973a-6cc3d72ffd02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e2241-27c4-7611-8200-3087626de59c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019e2241-27c4-7431-8234-9c0b4b652f76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ec2-973a-6cc3d72ffd02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019e2241-27c4-7431-8234-9c0b4b652f76" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e2241-27c4-7355-bd74-7bd88e1ef9c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ec2-973a-6cc3d72ffd02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e2241-27c4-7355-bd74-7bd88e1ef9c0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e2241-27c4-77c0-bb31-6cc2c6fde24e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ec2-973a-6cc3d72ffd02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e2241-27c4-77c0-bb31-6cc2c6fde24e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e2241-27c4-7c3d-8134-733e64200c93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ec2-973a-6cc3d72ffd02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e2241-27c4-7c3d-8134-733e64200c93" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/SENIORDEBTAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#SENIORDEBTAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/SENIORDEBTAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f85-9308-d313b741fc3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e2241-27c4-73c3-9e18-c879c002312b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f85-9308-d313b741fc3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e2241-27c4-73c3-9e18-c879c002312b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b0a-abb3-cd60b899cb8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e2241-27c4-73c3-9e18-c879c002312b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b0a-abb3-cd60b899cb8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e2241-27c4-7b0a-abb3-cd60b899cb8e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b0a-abb3-cd60b899cb8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e2241-27c4-7b0a-abb3-cd60b899cb8e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e2241-27c4-7bbe-9363-dce6f17ad631" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b0a-abb3-cd60b899cb8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e2241-27c4-7bbe-9363-dce6f17ad631" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember_019e2241-27c4-737e-9056-c08744d5051d" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e2241-27c4-7bbe-9363-dce6f17ad631" xlink:to="loc_laz_SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember_019e2241-27c4-737e-9056-c08744d5051d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-27c4-7ee6-82a3-e1b5ce4d29d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e2241-27c4-73c3-9e18-c879c002312b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-27c4-7ee6-82a3-e1b5ce4d29d1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-27c4-7ee6-82a3-e1b5ce4d29d1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-27c4-7ee6-82a3-e1b5ce4d29d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-27c4-7ee6-82a3-e1b5ce4d29d1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-27c4-7db1-9281-df9d56096b1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e2241-27c4-7ee6-82a3-e1b5ce4d29d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-27c4-7db1-9281-df9d56096b1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnusedLinesOfCreditMember_019e2241-27c4-7416-891d-8378f57904af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnusedLinesOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e2241-27c4-7db1-9281-df9d56096b1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnusedLinesOfCreditMember_019e2241-27c4-7416-891d-8378f57904af" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019e2241-27c4-7dfb-8cc0-bea8bedf38ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f85-9308-d313b741fc3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019e2241-27c4-7dfb-8cc0-bea8bedf38ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019e2241-27c4-7235-94c0-5ca8b5fb4f5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f85-9308-d313b741fc3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019e2241-27c4-7235-94c0-5ca8b5fb4f5a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019e2241-27c4-7f19-94be-e0c1a9b42ec6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f85-9308-d313b741fc3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019e2241-27c4-7f19-94be-e0c1a9b42ec6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1_019e2241-27c4-7ffb-b256-dd110f88ed91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f85-9308-d313b741fc3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1_019e2241-27c4-7ffb-b256-dd110f88ed91" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019e2241-27c4-7d2a-b37e-e4d0af1a3503" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f85-9308-d313b741fc3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019e2241-27c4-7d2a-b37e-e4d0af1a3503" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSScheduleofShareRepurchaseAuthorizedbyBoardofDirectorsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSScheduleofShareRepurchaseAuthorizedbyBoardofDirectorsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSScheduleofShareRepurchaseAuthorizedbyBoardofDirectorsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e2241-27c4-75c2-a3cf-fa320afe8ca6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_019e2241-27c4-7537-bf93-113c6c44a8cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e2241-27c4-75c2-a3cf-fa320afe8ca6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_019e2241-27c4-7537-bf93-113c6c44a8cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019e2241-27c4-77b8-bb35-377dc07dce92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_019e2241-27c4-7537-bf93-113c6c44a8cc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019e2241-27c4-77b8-bb35-377dc07dce92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019e2241-27c4-77b8-bb35-377dc07dce92_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019e2241-27c4-77b8-bb35-377dc07dce92" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019e2241-27c4-77b8-bb35-377dc07dce92_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019e2241-27c4-736d-8cf1-5471d1d290f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019e2241-27c4-77b8-bb35-377dc07dce92" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019e2241-27c4-736d-8cf1-5471d1d290f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ShareRepurchaseProgramDateJuly2024Member_019e2241-27c4-7419-80cc-c3a5eb5314d8" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ShareRepurchaseProgramDateJuly2024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019e2241-27c4-736d-8cf1-5471d1d290f1" xlink:to="loc_laz_ShareRepurchaseProgramDateJuly2024Member_019e2241-27c4-7419-80cc-c3a5eb5314d8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e2241-27c4-724e-a369-4b6cd1ab272c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e2241-27c4-75c2-a3cf-fa320afe8ca6" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e2241-27c4-724e-a369-4b6cd1ab272c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramExpirationDate_019e2241-27c4-7ea7-869a-05b8b5bf2dae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramExpirationDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e2241-27c4-75c2-a3cf-fa320afe8ca6" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramExpirationDate_019e2241-27c4-7ea7-869a-05b8b5bf2dae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-712a-935b-c8c3dc18c0a5" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityTable_019e2241-27c4-7511-be2d-f96ea4edf043" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-712a-935b-c8c3dc18c0a5" xlink:to="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityTable_019e2241-27c4-7511-be2d-f96ea4edf043" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e2241-27c4-76de-8c47-0a459ff67fff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityTable_019e2241-27c4-7511-be2d-f96ea4edf043" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e2241-27c4-76de-8c47-0a459ff67fff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e2241-27c4-76de-8c47-0a459ff67fff_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e2241-27c4-76de-8c47-0a459ff67fff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e2241-27c4-76de-8c47-0a459ff67fff_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e2241-27c4-7ae4-a65e-95204a015a91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e2241-27c4-76de-8c47-0a459ff67fff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e2241-27c4-7ae4-a65e-95204a015a91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e2241-27c4-7f12-993d-6004aab6a24f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e2241-27c4-7ae4-a65e-95204a015a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e2241-27c4-7f12-993d-6004aab6a24f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e2241-27c4-785c-b901-fc9b48999dc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityTable_019e2241-27c4-7511-be2d-f96ea4edf043" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e2241-27c4-785c-b901-fc9b48999dc0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e2241-27c4-785c-b901-fc9b48999dc0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e2241-27c4-785c-b901-fc9b48999dc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e2241-27c4-785c-b901-fc9b48999dc0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e2241-27c4-78c6-a5a0-0e3020f2f4dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e2241-27c4-785c-b901-fc9b48999dc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e2241-27c4-78c6-a5a0-0e3020f2f4dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ExecutiveOfficerMember_019e2241-27c4-7bd1-bb12-7b66c3a22c56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ExecutiveOfficerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e2241-27c4-78c6-a5a0-0e3020f2f4dd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ExecutiveOfficerMember_019e2241-27c4-7bd1-bb12-7b66c3a22c56" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7536-bfc0-6303c59e1455" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityTable_019e2241-27c4-7511-be2d-f96ea4edf043" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7536-bfc0-6303c59e1455" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7536-bfc0-6303c59e1455_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7536-bfc0-6303c59e1455" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7536-bfc0-6303c59e1455_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f5a-9939-7859c44aa954" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7536-bfc0-6303c59e1455" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f5a-9939-7859c44aa954" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019e2241-27c4-7ae8-8b7e-ed352c2ff2d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f5a-9939-7859c44aa954" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019e2241-27c4-7ae8-8b7e-ed352c2ff2d3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7764-89dd-65f9db6e4e79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityTable_019e2241-27c4-7511-be2d-f96ea4edf043" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7764-89dd-65f9db6e4e79" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsDomain_019e2241-27c4-7764-89dd-65f9db6e4e79_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7764-89dd-65f9db6e4e79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsDomain_019e2241-27c4-7764-89dd-65f9db6e4e79_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsDomain_019e2241-27c4-7eb9-96b6-95f8b358df92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7764-89dd-65f9db6e4e79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsDomain_019e2241-27c4-7eb9-96b6-95f8b358df92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_O2026Q2DividendsMember_019e8444-1450-77f0-9c12-e1b97fdfbf4f" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_O2026Q2DividendsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsDomain_019e2241-27c4-7eb9-96b6-95f8b358df92" xlink:to="loc_laz_O2026Q2DividendsMember_019e8444-1450-77f0-9c12-e1b97fdfbf4f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019e2241-27c4-7d97-a5a6-6190bd6e5acf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-712a-935b-c8c3dc18c0a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019e2241-27c4-7d97-a5a6-6190bd6e5acf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019e2241-27c4-77b2-983b-4481f5cd39fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-712a-935b-c8c3dc18c0a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019e2241-27c4-77b2-983b-4481f5cd39fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramExpirationDate_019e8445-ea89-748e-bd1e-5c493caca5bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramExpirationDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-712a-935b-c8c3dc18c0a5" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramExpirationDate_019e8445-ea89-748e-bd1e-5c493caca5bb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019f6c16-95b6-7f7c-907b-5741f0b8d9fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-712a-935b-c8c3dc18c0a5" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019f6c16-95b6-7f7c-907b-5741f0b8d9fa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableDateDeclaredDayMonthAndYear_019e2241-27c4-7b4a-915d-e058b3208c7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPayableDateDeclaredDayMonthAndYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-712a-935b-c8c3dc18c0a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableDateDeclaredDayMonthAndYear_019e2241-27c4-7b4a-915d-e058b3208c7c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e2241-27c4-7a57-b974-9355241854cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-712a-935b-c8c3dc18c0a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e2241-27c4-7a57-b974-9355241854cf" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendPayableDateToBePaidDayMonthAndYear_019e2241-27c4-72f1-8743-b356c6bdad71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendPayableDateToBePaidDayMonthAndYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-712a-935b-c8c3dc18c0a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendPayableDateToBePaidDayMonthAndYear_019e2241-27c4-72f1-8743-b356c6bdad71" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableDateOfRecordDayMonthAndYear_019e2241-27c4-768e-bc4d-febae8d07856" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPayableDateOfRecordDayMonthAndYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfStockholdersEquityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-712a-935b-c8c3dc18c0a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableDateOfRecordDayMonthAndYear_019e2241-27c4-768e-bc4d-febae8d07856" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetofTaxDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetofTaxDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetofTaxDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7e45-a6ac-d99f2640b8dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019e2241-27c4-768c-b938-8cee188cd6b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7e45-a6ac-d99f2640b8dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019e2241-27c4-768c-b938-8cee188cd6b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b65-a7fd-7c03e4c24863" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019e2241-27c4-768c-b938-8cee188cd6b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b65-a7fd-7c03e4c24863" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7b65-a7fd-7c03e4c24863_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b65-a7fd-7c03e4c24863" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7b65-a7fd-7c03e4c24863_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7db8-8d0b-57ff520dde3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b65-a7fd-7c03e4c24863" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7db8-8d0b-57ff520dde3a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-78fe-a4c3-4bebb2334d84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7db8-8d0b-57ff520dde3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-78fe-a4c3-4bebb2334d84" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedForeignCurrencyAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-7af6-821f-8b78ff663e6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedForeignCurrencyAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-78fe-a4c3-4bebb2334d84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedForeignCurrencyAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-7af6-821f-8b78ff663e6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-7229-b394-b2fd7ae5c560" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-78fe-a4c3-4bebb2334d84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-7229-b394-b2fd7ae5c560" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-7758-a8de-49df74d04e98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AociAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7db8-8d0b-57ff520dde3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-7758-a8de-49df74d04e98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e2241-27c4-7720-87e4-d5d556377f09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7db8-8d0b-57ff520dde3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e2241-27c4-7720-87e4-d5d556377f09" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7525-ba9a-9b5cfa3a44b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7e45-a6ac-d99f2640b8dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7525-ba9a-9b5cfa3a44b7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e2241-27c4-74c9-a17e-19112e3c03f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7525-ba9a-9b5cfa3a44b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e2241-27c4-74c9-a17e-19112e3c03f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax_019e2241-27c4-7ece-a56b-53fc5f1bf4c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7525-ba9a-9b5cfa3a44b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax_019e2241-27c4-7ece-a56b-53fc5f1bf4c5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_019e2241-27c4-7903-9591-29287a018b90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7525-ba9a-9b5cfa3a44b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_019e2241-27c4-7903-9591-29287a018b90" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e2241-27c4-7a56-9672-c2334e61dfe8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7525-ba9a-9b5cfa3a44b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e2241-27c4-7a56-9672-c2334e61dfe8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e2241-27c4-70c7-817b-404a6c20ae07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSAdjustmentsforItemsReclassifiedFromAOCIDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSAdjustmentsforItemsReclassifiedFromAOCIDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYANDREDEEMABLENONCONTROLLINGINTERESTSAdjustmentsforItemsReclassifiedFromAOCIDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f1b-85a0-456dde6d4067" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_019e2241-27c4-7456-bb04-2642bdeb76af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f1b-85a0-456dde6d4067" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_019e2241-27c4-7456-bb04-2642bdeb76af" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7f11-a96e-5a46a88ea759" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_019e2241-27c4-7456-bb04-2642bdeb76af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7f11-a96e-5a46a88ea759" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f11-a96e-5a46a88ea759_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7f11-a96e-5a46a88ea759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f11-a96e-5a46a88ea759_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019e2241-27c4-77f7-8779-f597a4152259" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7f11-a96e-5a46a88ea759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019e2241-27c4-77f7-8779-f597a4152259" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e2241-27c4-7ec8-a182-60eb2aa98fbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019e2241-27c4-77f7-8779-f597a4152259" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e2241-27c4-7ec8-a182-60eb2aa98fbe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-772b-84e9-110cfbd5ba47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_019e2241-27c4-7456-bb04-2642bdeb76af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-772b-84e9-110cfbd5ba47" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-772b-84e9-110cfbd5ba47_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-772b-84e9-110cfbd5ba47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-772b-84e9-110cfbd5ba47_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7c1a-94f8-792a2f61b0c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-772b-84e9-110cfbd5ba47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7c1a-94f8-792a2f61b0c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-730a-b8b8-74eb4a987b7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7c1a-94f8-792a2f61b0c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_019e2241-27c4-730a-b8b8-74eb4a987b7c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherExpenses_019e2241-27c4-7e25-9a71-c9777f556a4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f1b-85a0-456dde6d4067" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherExpenses_019e2241-27c4-7e25-9a71-c9777f556a4f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e2241-27c4-7caf-9db3-4f14b1d2d1d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f1b-85a0-456dde6d4067" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e2241-27c4-7caf-9db3-4f14b1d2d1d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e2241-27c4-7916-95c3-28578bd0df8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7f1b-85a0-456dde6d4067" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e2241-27c4-7916-95c3-28578bd0df8a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#INCENTIVEPLANSAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-73f9-be2c-63466968a89f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-73f9-be2c-63466968a89f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e2241-27c4-79b6-bedb-c27ea92a1774" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-73f9-be2c-63466968a89f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e2241-27c4-79b6-bedb-c27ea92a1774" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-79b6-bedb-c27ea92a1774_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e2241-27c4-79b6-bedb-c27ea92a1774" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-79b6-bedb-c27ea92a1774_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-70b2-a6fc-5e364d49b5b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e2241-27c4-79b6-bedb-c27ea92a1774" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-70b2-a6fc-5e364d49b5b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_TwoThousandAndEighteenPlanMember_019e2241-27c4-7cc3-a4d1-f9429bc3f01b" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_TwoThousandAndEighteenPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-70b2-a6fc-5e364d49b5b7" xlink:to="loc_laz_TwoThousandAndEighteenPlanMember_019e2241-27c4-7cc3-a4d1-f9429bc3f01b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e2241-27c4-7395-b779-b647dba67f5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-73f9-be2c-63466968a89f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e2241-27c4-7395-b779-b647dba67f5e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e2241-27c4-7395-b779-b647dba67f5e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e2241-27c4-7395-b779-b647dba67f5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e2241-27c4-7395-b779-b647dba67f5e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e2241-27c4-7321-893a-cef6e754b727" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e2241-27c4-7395-b779-b647dba67f5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e2241-27c4-7321-893a-cef6e754b727" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e2241-27c4-78a3-a6dd-fca738be5205" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e2241-27c4-7321-893a-cef6e754b727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e2241-27c4-78a3-a6dd-fca738be5205" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7f7b-b350-be0475439ae4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-73f9-be2c-63466968a89f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7f7b-b350-be0475439ae4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f7b-b350-be0475439ae4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7f7b-b350-be0475439ae4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f7b-b350-be0475439ae4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7cda-a348-884baa248805" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7f7b-b350-be0475439ae4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7cda-a348-884baa248805" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e2241-27c4-71a2-ac91-2055650c7cbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7cda-a348-884baa248805" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e2241-27c4-71a2-ac91-2055650c7cbb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsExcludingStockPricePIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-7ab8-8544-00c5ebca0625" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsExcludingStockPricePIPRsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7cda-a348-884baa248805" xlink:to="loc_laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsExcludingStockPricePIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-7ab8-8544-00c5ebca0625" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember_019e2241-27c4-74ae-b69d-8e8cd344b9cd" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7cda-a348-884baa248805" xlink:to="loc_laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember_019e2241-27c4-74ae-b69d-8e8cd344b9cd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_TotalShareholderReturnPIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-7502-a670-0bdfcd5cc715" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_TotalShareholderReturnPIPRsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7cda-a348-884baa248805" xlink:to="loc_laz_TotalShareholderReturnPIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-7502-a670-0bdfcd5cc715" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_StockPricePIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-76d9-ad9f-ea6e82d53911" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_StockPricePIPRsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7cda-a348-884baa248805" xlink:to="loc_laz_StockPricePIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-76d9-ad9f-ea6e82d53911" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_OrdinaryPIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-7813-888a-43db4e6d1e9a" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_OrdinaryPIPRsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7cda-a348-884baa248805" xlink:to="loc_laz_OrdinaryPIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-7813-888a-43db4e6d1e9a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetRelatedToCashRetentionAwardsMember_019e2241-27c4-7530-b613-d2581f93b4cc" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetRelatedToCashRetentionAwardsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7cda-a348-884baa248805" xlink:to="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetRelatedToCashRetentionAwardsMember_019e2241-27c4-7530-b613-d2581f93b4cc" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e2241-27c4-7888-b413-2c65d85e69b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-73f9-be2c-63466968a89f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e2241-27c4-7888-b413-2c65d85e69b7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e2241-27c4-7888-b413-2c65d85e69b7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e2241-27c4-7888-b413-2c65d85e69b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e2241-27c4-7888-b413-2c65d85e69b7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f3b-8b06-babdb97c69c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e2241-27c4-7888-b413-2c65d85e69b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f3b-8b06-babdb97c69c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_019e2241-27c4-70e0-ad4b-0d27986e3ac0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f3b-8b06-babdb97c69c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_019e2241-27c4-70e0-ad4b-0d27986e3ac0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_019e2241-27c4-7277-9e54-71f6ba016bf2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f3b-8b06-babdb97c69c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_019e2241-27c4-7277-9e54-71f6ba016bf2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_019e2241-27c4-7da8-9906-f355ab969375" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e2241-27c4-7f3b-8b06-babdb97c69c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_019e2241-27c4-7da8-9906-f355ab969375" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-27c4-768e-9379-c91ed1e0ef3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-73f9-be2c-63466968a89f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-27c4-768e-9379-c91ed1e0ef3a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c4-768e-9379-c91ed1e0ef3a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-27c4-768e-9379-c91ed1e0ef3a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c4-768e-9379-c91ed1e0ef3a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c4-7e05-9f98-135448c00f32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e2241-27c4-768e-9379-c91ed1e0ef3a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c4-7e05-9f98-135448c00f32" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e2241-27c4-7107-808f-8388d9222030" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c4-7e05-9f98-135448c00f32" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e2241-27c4-7107-808f-8388d9222030" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e2241-27c4-714b-8e90-85f8a6aea061" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e2241-27c4-7e05-9f98-135448c00f32" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e2241-27c4-714b-8e90-85f8a6aea061" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019e2241-27c4-7303-9e5d-9c52ae4ec1ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-73f9-be2c-63466968a89f" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019e2241-27c4-7303-9e5d-9c52ae4ec1ed" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019e2241-27c4-7303-9e5d-9c52ae4ec1ed_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019e2241-27c4-7303-9e5d-9c52ae4ec1ed" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019e2241-27c4-7303-9e5d-9c52ae4ec1ed_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019e2241-27c4-7471-bc74-224cdb36b0e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_019e2241-27c4-7303-9e5d-9c52ae4ec1ed" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019e2241-27c4-7471-bc74-224cdb36b0e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioPlanMember_019e2241-27c4-7459-bfd0-2e269e76ab6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_019e2241-27c4-7471-bc74-224cdb36b0e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioPlanMember_019e2241-27c4-7459-bfd0-2e269e76ab6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7698-a20c-2dd68053181b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-73f9-be2c-63466968a89f" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7698-a20c-2dd68053181b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-7698-a20c-2dd68053181b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7698-a20c-2dd68053181b" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-7698-a20c-2dd68053181b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-799b-8a7b-c97d0baaec1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7698-a20c-2dd68053181b" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-799b-8a7b-c97d0baaec1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestAndSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember_019e2241-27c4-72aa-a1c7-32952728ed07" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardFundInterestAndSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-799b-8a7b-c97d0baaec1e" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestAndSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember_019e2241-27c4-72aa-a1c7-32952728ed07" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_019e844a-7c09-7fdd-b2ce-749beb1888f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_019e844a-7c09-7fdd-b2ce-749beb1888f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_019e2241-27c4-79f3-9848-e8f7e3093893" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_019e2241-27c4-79f3-9848-e8f7e3093893" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockConversionBasis_019e2241-27c4-7fde-bc1f-41a637b5d303" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockConversionBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockConversionBasis_019e2241-27c4-7fde-bc1f-41a637b5d303" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019e2241-27c4-710b-a536-dbee29e39e0a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019e2241-27c4-710b-a536-dbee29e39e0a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_019e2241-27c4-7f59-8f28-db8ebaa14d80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_019e2241-27c4-7f59-8f28-db8ebaa14d80" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_IssuanceOfRestrictedStockUnitsAndRestrictedStockInConnectionWithDividendParticipationRights_019e2241-27c4-7c11-af19-295464e5a5f1" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_IssuanceOfRestrictedStockUnitsAndRestrictedStockInConnectionWithDividendParticipationRights"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_laz_IssuanceOfRestrictedStockUnitsAndRestrictedStockInConnectionWithDividendParticipationRights_019e2241-27c4-7c11-af19-295464e5a5f1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ChargeToRetainedEarningsPertainingToIssuanceOfRestrictedStockUnitsAndRestrictedStockInConnectionWithParticipationRights_019e2241-27c4-7cd0-b802-7c29251d0d6a" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ChargeToRetainedEarningsPertainingToIssuanceOfRestrictedStockUnitsAndRestrictedStockInConnectionWithParticipationRights"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_laz_ChargeToRetainedEarningsPertainingToIssuanceOfRestrictedStockUnitsAndRestrictedStockInConnectionWithParticipationRights_019e2241-27c4-7cd0-b802-7c29251d0d6a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_019e2241-27c4-7ea2-b237-9b9045cb1200" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_019e2241-27c4-7ea2-b237-9b9045cb1200" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockSharesIssuedNetOfSharesForTaxWithholdings_019e2241-27c4-79dd-a6fc-c799207d2fd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockSharesIssuedNetOfSharesForTaxWithholdings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockSharesIssuedNetOfSharesForTaxWithholdings_019e2241-27c4-79dd-a6fc-c799207d2fd7" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-750c-bc86-e3453de344e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-750c-bc86-e3453de344e9" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_019e2241-27c4-77f1-9f0c-d5f1f77eb1c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_019e2241-27c4-77f1-9f0c-d5f1f77eb1c6" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_019e2241-27c4-79fb-9da9-36cd34ff68d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_019e2241-27c4-79fb-9da9-36cd34ff68d6" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPayoutPercentage_019e2241-27c4-7034-98a7-fe73ec88b7fe" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPayoutPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_laz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPayoutPercentage_019e2241-27c4-7034-98a7-fe73ec88b7fe" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPayoutCapPercentage_019e2241-27c4-7c35-9cca-23d3604c3a0c" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPayoutCapPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_laz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardPayoutCapPercentage_019e2241-27c4-7c35-9cca-23d3604c3a0c" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingNumberOfTranche_019e2241-27c4-78ba-a211-41d1b7f1e35c" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingNumberOfTranche"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_laz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingNumberOfTranche_019e2241-27c4-78ba-a211-41d1b7f1e35c" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_019e2241-27c4-78d8-9c99-0a68562e9966" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_019e2241-27c4-78d8-9c99-0a68562e9966" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_CommonStockPriceThresholdConsecutiveDaysNumber_019e2241-27c4-7315-84f7-8de28c15e343" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_CommonStockPriceThresholdConsecutiveDaysNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_laz_CommonStockPriceThresholdConsecutiveDaysNumber_019e2241-27c4-7315-84f7-8de28c15e343" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_CommonStockPriceAppreciationPeriod_019e2241-27c4-72ab-8d35-c0b5b248fb66" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_CommonStockPriceAppreciationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_laz_CommonStockPriceAppreciationPeriod_019e2241-27c4-72ab-8d35-c0b5b248fb66" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_CommonStockPriceAppreciationPercentage_019e2241-27c4-761f-950f-57e3c7c88b25" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_CommonStockPriceAppreciationPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_laz_CommonStockPriceAppreciationPercentage_019e2241-27c4-761f-950f-57e3c7c88b25" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualMaximumContractualTerm1_019e2241-27c4-76a5-a06f-01d03c534c9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualMaximumContractualTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualMaximumContractualTerm1_019e2241-27c4-76a5-a06f-01d03c534c9c" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_CashRetentionAwardsAmortization_019e2241-27c4-7b10-8af5-7dcb39e48bd5" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_CashRetentionAwardsAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_laz_CashRetentionAwardsAmortization_019e2241-27c4-7b10-8af5-7dcb39e48bd5" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAsset_019e2241-27c4-7157-b3bd-14bafbb04cb3" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PrepaidCompensationAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-76a9-aa9f-71321acc824c" xlink:to="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAsset_019e2241-27c4-7157-b3bd-14bafbb04cb3" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofImpactofShareBasedIncentivePlansonCompensationandBenefitsExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofImpactofShareBasedIncentivePlansonCompensationandBenefitsExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofImpactofShareBasedIncentivePlansonCompensationandBenefitsExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-74f7-b459-6541b64f4e95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-72c4-8478-13329aecc71b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-74f7-b459-6541b64f4e95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-72c4-8478-13329aecc71b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-77d2-a713-40b7edd358dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-72c4-8478-13329aecc71b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-77d2-a713-40b7edd358dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-77d2-a713-40b7edd358dd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-77d2-a713-40b7edd358dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-77d2-a713-40b7edd358dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d41-8515-cc11f8470b23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-77d2-a713-40b7edd358dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d41-8515-cc11f8470b23" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e2241-27c4-7aeb-82a9-ca6d2dda4a1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d41-8515-cc11f8470b23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e2241-27c4-7aeb-82a9-ca6d2dda4a1b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember_019e2241-27c4-75d8-ba49-2559a7777de4" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d41-8515-cc11f8470b23" xlink:to="loc_laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember_019e2241-27c4-75d8-ba49-2559a7777de4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitMember_019e2241-27c4-7f2e-ab51-f2a0d435bb52" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d41-8515-cc11f8470b23" xlink:to="loc_laz_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitMember_019e2241-27c4-7f2e-ab51-f2a0d435bb52" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019e2241-27c4-7616-adfa-e1df6358d08d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-74f7-b459-6541b64f4e95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019e2241-27c4-7616-adfa-e1df6358d08d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofActivityRelatingtoRSUsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofActivityRelatingtoRSUsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofActivityRelatingtoRSUsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ebe-bcde-8ba10e6f8478" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-70e7-9191-cc6fc561af06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ebe-bcde-8ba10e6f8478" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-70e7-9191-cc6fc561af06" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7157-9c80-720a203e7e14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-70e7-9191-cc6fc561af06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7157-9c80-720a203e7e14" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7157-9c80-720a203e7e14_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7157-9c80-720a203e7e14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7157-9c80-720a203e7e14_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-797d-9a50-d929ee892b88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7157-9c80-720a203e7e14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-797d-9a50-d929ee892b88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e2241-27c4-7df0-8b0f-0517617989e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-797d-9a50-d929ee892b88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e2241-27c4-7df0-8b0f-0517617989e0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7f14-980e-0dc0318e191e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ebe-bcde-8ba10e6f8478" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7f14-980e-0dc0318e191e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e2241-27c4-7e35-a4af-c0e8b796a7fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7f14-980e-0dc0318e191e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e2241-27c4-7e35-a4af-c0e8b796a7fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-7346-9ce8-cba920bdadce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7f14-980e-0dc0318e191e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-7346-9ce8-cba920bdadce" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-7015-a367-a8c447118011" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7f14-980e-0dc0318e191e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-7015-a367-a8c447118011" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-7b55-8740-c1311390db90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7f14-980e-0dc0318e191e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-7b55-8740-c1311390db90" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e2241-27c4-7a67-9f94-2b0f88739416" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-75a7-a612-d33ef8a9039b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ebe-bcde-8ba10e6f8478" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-75a7-a612-d33ef8a9039b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-7b30-9ffa-51fa17123810" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-75a7-a612-d33ef8a9039b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-7b30-9ffa-51fa17123810" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-710f-b968-a77370b0efac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-75a7-a612-d33ef8a9039b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-710f-b968-a77370b0efac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-796b-9c9b-efb2fb5a9337" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-75a7-a612-d33ef8a9039b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-796b-9c9b-efb2fb5a9337" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-76b2-989a-9b84a0138ed6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-75a7-a612-d33ef8a9039b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-76b2-989a-9b84a0138ed6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-7645-a214-d53e330aa7da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_IssuanceOfRestrictedStockUnitsAndRestrictedStockInConnectionWithDividendParticipationRights_019e2241-27c4-7866-87f7-cc7c82dda590" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_IssuanceOfRestrictedStockUnitsAndRestrictedStockInConnectionWithDividendParticipationRights"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ebe-bcde-8ba10e6f8478" xlink:to="loc_laz_IssuanceOfRestrictedStockUnitsAndRestrictedStockInConnectionWithDividendParticipationRights_019e2241-27c4-7866-87f7-cc7c82dda590" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofActivityRelatingtoPIPRsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofActivityRelatingtoPIPRsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofActivityRelatingtoPIPRsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-767e-8125-c5bb255c8c89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-7f9a-83bb-b92ead841a05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-767e-8125-c5bb255c8c89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-7f9a-83bb-b92ead841a05" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7a57-a873-7ce8a7f2fce9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e2241-27c4-7f9a-83bb-b92ead841a05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7a57-a873-7ce8a7f2fce9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7a57-a873-7ce8a7f2fce9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7a57-a873-7ce8a7f2fce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7a57-a873-7ce8a7f2fce9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d67-a927-b82ca9c24fcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7a57-a873-7ce8a7f2fce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d67-a927-b82ca9c24fcc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_OrdinaryPIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-7963-b4f4-5e80a37f2df0" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_OrdinaryPIPRsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d67-a927-b82ca9c24fcc" xlink:to="loc_laz_OrdinaryPIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-7963-b4f4-5e80a37f2df0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_TotalShareholderReturnPIPRsAndOrStockPricePIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-7083-8f2e-7f249d70e4f9" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_TotalShareholderReturnPIPRsAndOrStockPricePIPRsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d67-a927-b82ca9c24fcc" xlink:to="loc_laz_TotalShareholderReturnPIPRsAndOrStockPricePIPRsMember_019e2241-27c4-7083-8f2e-7f249d70e4f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7122-813e-4397d715edc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-767e-8125-c5bb255c8c89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7122-813e-4397d715edc7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e2241-27c4-7fd0-9185-48a4750e04d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7122-813e-4397d715edc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e2241-27c4-7fd0-9185-48a4750e04d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-7936-900e-accfdfda8647" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7122-813e-4397d715edc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-7936-900e-accfdfda8647" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-789d-87e5-7ce9741680ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7122-813e-4397d715edc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-789d-87e5-7ce9741680ed" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-71b2-b7e6-9889b576f61d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7122-813e-4397d715edc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_019e2241-27c4-71b2-b7e6-9889b576f61d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e2241-27c4-74e1-ba7b-61b2d9c92384" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7db8-a413-357bfacfdf0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e2241-27c4-767e-8125-c5bb255c8c89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7db8-a413-357bfacfdf0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-7eb6-87bf-068e0404d78b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7db8-a413-357bfacfdf0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-7eb6-87bf-068e0404d78b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-7d03-8ac5-1c21b301faae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7db8-a413-357bfacfdf0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-7d03-8ac5-1c21b301faae" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-750c-b2da-0d51bf49f4c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7db8-a413-357bfacfdf0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-750c-b2da-0d51bf49f4c8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-7366-8d9c-fc71b21a081d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e2241-27c4-7db8-a413-357bfacfdf0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-7366-8d9c-fc71b21a081d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e2241-27c4-717b-b5a1-68f0d5cfe22a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofLFIandOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofLFIandOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/INCENTIVEPLANSScheduleofLFIandOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsByTitleOfIndividualAndByTypeOfDeferredCompensationTable_019e2241-27c4-79b4-b4d5-d0b2c54edec6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsByTitleOfIndividualAndByTypeOfDeferredCompensationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsByTitleOfIndividualAndByTypeOfDeferredCompensationTable_019e2241-27c4-79b4-b4d5-d0b2c54edec6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-27c4-70cc-b196-2f619fea63c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsByTitleOfIndividualAndByTypeOfDeferredCompensationTable_019e2241-27c4-79b4-b4d5-d0b2c54edec6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-27c4-70cc-b196-2f619fea63c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-70cc-b196-2f619fea63c1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-27c4-70cc-b196-2f619fea63c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-70cc-b196-2f619fea63c1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7599-ba3f-283151336637" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e2241-27c4-70cc-b196-2f619fea63c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7599-ba3f-283151336637" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestsAndOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember_019e2241-27c4-710f-aa3e-cd36a148a7b3" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardFundInterestsAndOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7599-ba3f-283151336637" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestsAndOtherSimilarDeferredCompensationArrangementsMember_019e2241-27c4-710f-aa3e-cd36a148a7b3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAsset_019e2241-27c4-70aa-9df2-511a5d58610a" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PrepaidCompensationAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAsset_019e2241-27c4-70aa-9df2-511a5d58610a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetGranted_019e2241-27c4-7725-96f7-487db65697f1" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetGranted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetGranted_019e2241-27c4-7725-96f7-487db65697f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetSettled_019e2241-27c4-75d5-98c6-b8c0f3763db3" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetSettled"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetSettled_019e2241-27c4-75d5-98c6-b8c0f3763db3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetsAmortizationIncludingImpactOfForfeitures_019e2241-27c4-7256-9ed1-99d936efb5a3" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetsAmortizationIncludingImpactOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetsAmortizationIncludingImpactOfForfeitures_019e2241-27c4-7256-9ed1-99d936efb5a3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetChangeInFairValue_019e2241-27c4-72ab-88f8-46a9c3b168db" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetChangeInFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetChangeInFairValue_019e2241-27c4-72ab-88f8-46a9c3b168db" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetOther_019e2241-27c4-7c57-bc9b-45d2f438c1ab" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAssetOther_019e2241-27c4-7c57-bc9b-45d2f438c1ab" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PrepaidCompensationAsset_019e2241-27c4-7e42-9d04-5b6f514c0294" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PrepaidCompensationAsset"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019e2241-27c4-7cfa-95b3-9f6d1bcf0a04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019e2241-27c4-7cfa-95b3-9f6d1bcf0a04" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilityGranted_019e2241-27c4-717c-abeb-30b70225317c" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DerivativeLiabilityGranted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilityGranted_019e2241-27c4-717c-abeb-30b70225317c" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilitySettled_019e2241-27c4-7b05-877a-cf01f65c0e93" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DerivativeLiabilitySettled"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilitySettled_019e2241-27c4-7b05-877a-cf01f65c0e93" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilityAmortizationIncludingImpactOfForfeitures_019e2241-27c4-7d93-acb5-78041a312eba" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DerivativeLiabilityAmortizationIncludingImpactOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilityAmortizationIncludingImpactOfForfeitures_019e2241-27c4-7d93-acb5-78041a312eba" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilityChangeInFairValue_019e2241-27c4-72fe-81b5-d9b6475f6cea" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DerivativeLiabilityChangeInFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilityChangeInFairValue_019e2241-27c4-72fe-81b5-d9b6475f6cea" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilityOther_019e2241-27c4-7795-a498-45d5760d0043" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DerivativeLiabilityOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualExcludingShareBasedPaymentsAndPostretirementBenefitsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-79e9-a9c0-0676cc13babb" xlink:to="loc_laz_DerivativeLiabilityOther_019e2241-27c4-7795-a498-45d5760d0043" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019e2241-27c4-7a71-a975-d1b5ef8fdfc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSComponentsofNetPeriodicBenefitCostCreditDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSComponentsofNetPeriodicBenefitCostCreditDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/EMPLOYEEBENEFITPLANSComponentsofNetPeriodicBenefitCostCreditDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7876-8155-676065a0b9e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_019e2241-27c4-7ea0-84b5-2dce3f23af74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7876-8155-676065a0b9e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_019e2241-27c4-7ea0-84b5-2dce3f23af74" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7d9c-a2bf-56dde36067be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_019e2241-27c4-7ea0-84b5-2dce3f23af74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7d9c-a2bf-56dde36067be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d9c-a2bf-56dde36067be_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7d9c-a2bf-56dde36067be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d9c-a2bf-56dde36067be_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-79f1-9d58-423494c7c4c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_019e2241-27c4-7d9c-a2bf-56dde36067be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-79f1-9d58-423494c7c4c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_019e2241-27c4-7d46-a63b-f6f7fa7a7c26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_019e2241-27c4-79f1-9d58-423494c7c4c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_019e2241-27c4-7d46-a63b-f6f7fa7a7c26" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7ad7-8456-70f4ecc4e5d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7876-8155-676065a0b9e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7ad7-8456-70f4ecc4e5d1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_019e2241-27c4-7e2b-8745-dcd3678250ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7ad7-8456-70f4ecc4e5d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_019e2241-27c4-7e2b-8745-dcd3678250ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_019e2241-27c4-70d7-9a5b-407718b039af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7ad7-8456-70f4ecc4e5d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_019e2241-27c4-70d7-9a5b-407718b039af" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_019e2241-27c4-7c13-902d-00cecca63acb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7ad7-8456-70f4ecc4e5d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_019e2241-27c4-7c13-902d-00cecca63acb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortizationAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7b7a-b80a-5813c449ad74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortizationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7ad7-8456-70f4ecc4e5d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortizationAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7b7a-b80a-5813c449ad74" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_019e2241-27c4-7053-8c44-9c6791f4ccf4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortizationAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7b7a-b80a-5813c449ad74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_019e2241-27c4-7053-8c44-9c6791f4ccf4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_019e2241-27c4-7cec-8946-4327ff25f4aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentForAmortizationAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7b7a-b80a-5813c449ad74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_019e2241-27c4-7cec-8946-4327ff25f4aa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_019e2241-27c4-73be-bf81-c0c7c14078d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_019e2241-27c4-7ad7-8456-70f4ecc4e5d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_019e2241-27c4-73be-bf81-c0c7c14078d3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/NETINCOMEPERSHAREOFCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofCompanysBasicandDilutedNetIncomePerShareandWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#NETINCOMEPERSHAREOFCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofCompanysBasicandDilutedNetIncomePerShareandWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/NETINCOMEPERSHAREOFCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofCompanysBasicandDilutedNetIncomePerShareandWeightedAverageSharesOutstandingDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ff8-a025-c212c468151f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019e2241-27c4-72a5-99dc-a53cd4af1b67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ff8-a025-c212c468151f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019e2241-27c4-72a5-99dc-a53cd4af1b67" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-7fe1-889d-766df38f6f2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019e2241-27c4-72a5-99dc-a53cd4af1b67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-7fe1-889d-766df38f6f2e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7fe1-889d-766df38f6f2e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-7fe1-889d-766df38f6f2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7fe1-889d-766df38f6f2e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7b83-9283-04b16feae8d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-7fe1-889d-766df38f6f2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7b83-9283-04b16feae8d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember_019e2241-27c4-7aa9-ac5e-a22a72a0994e" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e2241-27c4-7b83-9283-04b16feae8d6" xlink:to="loc_laz_ProfitsInterestParticipationRightsMember_019e2241-27c4-7aa9-ac5e-a22a72a0994e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_019e2241-27c4-7686-b731-07bee0de7956" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ff8-a025-c212c468151f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_019e2241-27c4-7686-b731-07bee0de7956" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/RELATEDPARTIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#RELATEDPARTIESAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/RELATEDPARTIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ea4-a531-f1c66989ad4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e2241-27c4-7da6-ad61-d6b0ed2f8b37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ea4-a531-f1c66989ad4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e2241-27c4-7da6-ad61-d6b0ed2f8b37" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e2241-27c4-7eec-acc8-7188cd87a1a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e2241-27c4-7da6-ad61-d6b0ed2f8b37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e2241-27c4-7eec-acc8-7188cd87a1a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e2241-27c4-7eec-acc8-7188cd87a1a1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e2241-27c4-7eec-acc8-7188cd87a1a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e2241-27c4-7eec-acc8-7188cd87a1a1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e2241-27c4-706c-acd3-c4cce0eecc0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e2241-27c4-7eec-acc8-7188cd87a1a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e2241-27c4-706c-acd3-c4cce0eecc0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_InvestmentAdvisorMember_019e2241-27c4-79e1-a0ec-5a1768bcbe71" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_InvestmentAdvisorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e2241-27c4-706c-acd3-c4cce0eecc0b" xlink:to="loc_laz_InvestmentAdvisorMember_019e2241-27c4-79e1-a0ec-5a1768bcbe71" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LtbpTrustMember_019e2241-27c4-7058-b962-ae259c776ecd" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LtbpTrustMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e2241-27c4-706c-acd3-c4cce0eecc0b" xlink:to="loc_laz_LtbpTrustMember_019e2241-27c4-7058-b962-ae259c776ecd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019e2241-27c4-7709-9a63-872fab72475c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e2241-27c4-7da6-ad61-d6b0ed2f8b37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019e2241-27c4-7709-9a63-872fab72475c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e2241-27c4-7709-9a63-872fab72475c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019e2241-27c4-7709-9a63-872fab72475c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e2241-27c4-7709-9a63-872fab72475c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e2241-27c4-767e-8cdc-28cb1ac4a4e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019e2241-27c4-7709-9a63-872fab72475c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e2241-27c4-767e-8cdc-28cb1ac4a4e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_SponsoredFundsMember_019e2241-27c4-759d-97f5-962d66ce0a6b" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_SponsoredFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e2241-27c4-767e-8cdc-28cb1ac4a4e5" xlink:to="loc_laz_SponsoredFundsMember_019e2241-27c4-759d-97f5-962d66ce0a6b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_TaxReceivableAgreementMember_019e2241-27c4-7ebe-b36d-92373195f652" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_TaxReceivableAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e2241-27c4-767e-8cdc-28cb1ac4a4e5" xlink:to="loc_laz_TaxReceivableAgreementMember_019e2241-27c4-7ebe-b36d-92373195f652" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e2241-27c4-751b-93e6-5891755cb728" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ea4-a531-f1c66989ad4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e2241-27c4-751b-93e6-5891755cb728" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedFeesAndOtherRevenueReceivable_019e2241-27c4-7767-b6e8-72f6801e9205" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedFeesAndOtherRevenueReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ea4-a531-f1c66989ad4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedFeesAndOtherRevenueReceivable_019e2241-27c4-7767-b6e8-72f6801e9205" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_AmountOfCashSavingsInIncomeOrFranchiseTaxThatWouldBeRealizedAsResultOfIncreasesInTaxBasisAndCertainOtherTaxBenefitsRelatedToAmendedAndRestatedTaxReceivableAgreement_019e2241-27c4-74bb-b89d-b28d09fc4b4a" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_AmountOfCashSavingsInIncomeOrFranchiseTaxThatWouldBeRealizedAsResultOfIncreasesInTaxBasisAndCertainOtherTaxBenefitsRelatedToAmendedAndRestatedTaxReceivableAgreement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ea4-a531-f1c66989ad4a" xlink:to="loc_laz_AmountOfCashSavingsInIncomeOrFranchiseTaxThatWouldBeRealizedAsResultOfIncreasesInTaxBasisAndCertainOtherTaxBenefitsRelatedToAmendedAndRestatedTaxReceivableAgreement_019e2241-27c4-74bb-b89d-b28d09fc4b4a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_CashTaxSavingThatMayAriseFromTaxBasisIncreasesAttributableToPaymentsUnderAmendedAndRestatedTaxReceivableAgreement_019e2241-27c4-7b6e-8bb8-76729293f921" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_CashTaxSavingThatMayAriseFromTaxBasisIncreasesAttributableToPaymentsUnderAmendedAndRestatedTaxReceivableAgreement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ea4-a531-f1c66989ad4a" xlink:to="loc_laz_CashTaxSavingThatMayAriseFromTaxBasisIncreasesAttributableToPaymentsUnderAmendedAndRestatedTaxReceivableAgreement_019e2241-27c4-7b6e-8bb8-76729293f921" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PayablePursuantToTaxReceivableAgreement_019e2241-27c4-7506-b226-0c0432fe9259" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PayablePursuantToTaxReceivableAgreement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7ea4-a531-f1c66989ad4a" xlink:to="loc_laz_PayablePursuantToTaxReceivableAgreement_019e2241-27c4-7506-b226-0c0432fe9259" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/REGULATORYAUTHORITIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#REGULATORYAUTHORITIESAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/REGULATORYAUTHORITIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_RegulatoryRequirementsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7023-b059-b12b765682fc" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_RegulatoryRequirementsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ScheduleOfRegulatoryAuthoritiesTable_019e2241-27c4-77f3-bd86-22e80d3b7234" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ScheduleOfRegulatoryAuthoritiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_laz_RegulatoryRequirementsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7023-b059-b12b765682fc" xlink:to="loc_laz_ScheduleOfRegulatoryAuthoritiesTable_019e2241-27c4-77f3-bd86-22e80d3b7234" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7aba-994d-4ee8e419e535" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_laz_ScheduleOfRegulatoryAuthoritiesTable_019e2241-27c4-77f3-bd86-22e80d3b7234" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7aba-994d-4ee8e419e535" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-7aba-994d-4ee8e419e535_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7aba-994d-4ee8e419e535" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-7aba-994d-4ee8e419e535_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-733b-82fa-6950583f3b76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e2241-27c4-7aba-994d-4ee8e419e535" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-733b-82fa-6950583f3b76" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardFreresAndCompanyLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember_019e2241-27c4-7b4b-973e-8f684ca70016" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardFreresAndCompanyLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-733b-82fa-6950583f3b76" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardFreresAndCompanyLimitedLiabilityCompanyMember_019e2241-27c4-7b4b-973e-8f684ca70016" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_UnitedKingdomSubsidiaryMember_019e2241-27c4-79b8-b669-ab02b09d92ce" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_UnitedKingdomSubsidiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-733b-82fa-6950583f3b76" xlink:to="loc_laz_UnitedKingdomSubsidiaryMember_019e2241-27c4-79b8-b669-ab02b09d92ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_CompagnieFinanciereLazardFreresSasMember_019e2241-27c4-77fa-8c23-107b7d483737" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_CompagnieFinanciereLazardFreresSasMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-733b-82fa-6950583f3b76" xlink:to="loc_laz_CompagnieFinanciereLazardFreresSasMember_019e2241-27c4-77fa-8c23-107b7d483737" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_CombinedEuropeanRegulatedGroupMember_019e2241-27c4-7bc3-b271-3c9705890965" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_CombinedEuropeanRegulatedGroupMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-733b-82fa-6950583f3b76" xlink:to="loc_laz_CombinedEuropeanRegulatedGroupMember_019e2241-27c4-7bc3-b271-3c9705890965" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_OtherUSAndNonUSSubsidiariesMember_019e2241-27c4-73a8-8c24-cdb6787c5a80" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_OtherUSAndNonUSSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e2241-27c4-733b-82fa-6950583f3b76" xlink:to="loc_laz_OtherUSAndNonUSSubsidiariesMember_019e2241-27c4-73a8-8c24-cdb6787c5a80" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Capital_019e2241-27c4-72bb-9b0f-492813a5bd85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Capital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_RegulatoryRequirementsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7023-b059-b12b765682fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Capital_019e2241-27c4-72bb-9b0f-492813a5bd85" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExcessCapital_019e2241-27c4-72f9-bd72-d05324ae8744" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ExcessCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_RegulatoryRequirementsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7023-b059-b12b765682fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExcessCapital_019e2241-27c4-72f9-bd72-d05324ae8744" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1_019e2241-27c4-7172-840c-a8e2b1cbb039" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_laz_RegulatoryRequirementsLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7023-b059-b12b765682fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapital1_019e2241-27c4-7172-840c-a8e2b1cbb039" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONSelectFinancialInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#SEGMENTINFORMATIONSelectFinancialInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONSelectFinancialInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7786-8175-665e27151755" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e2241-27c4-7aab-a11c-b8d55ebebebf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7786-8175-665e27151755" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e2241-27c4-7aab-a11c-b8d55ebebebf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7c31-a68b-0d1fd1e9b68f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e2241-27c4-7aab-a11c-b8d55ebebebf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7c31-a68b-0d1fd1e9b68f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7c31-a68b-0d1fd1e9b68f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7c31-a68b-0d1fd1e9b68f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c4-7c31-a68b-0d1fd1e9b68f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c4-73b2-865d-32df84b94c6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e2241-27c4-7c31-a68b-0d1fd1e9b68f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c4-73b2-865d-32df84b94c6d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_FinancialAdvisorySegmentMember_019e2241-27c4-702e-b222-93b56a30942a" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_FinancialAdvisorySegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c4-73b2-865d-32df84b94c6d" xlink:to="loc_laz_FinancialAdvisorySegmentMember_019e2241-27c4-702e-b222-93b56a30942a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_AssetManagementSegmentMember_019e2241-27c4-7908-bc9e-7d6048f4dc0e" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_AssetManagementSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c4-73b2-865d-32df84b94c6d" xlink:to="loc_laz_AssetManagementSegmentMember_019e2241-27c4-7908-bc9e-7d6048f4dc0e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateMember_019e2241-27c4-70d1-9ac8-ebf09c9cf5c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e2241-27c4-73b2-865d-32df84b94c6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateMember_019e2241-27c4-70d1-9ac8-ebf09c9cf5c1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense_019e2241-27c4-7e22-8257-944954369968" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7786-8175-665e27151755" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesNetOfInterestExpense_019e2241-27c4-7e22-8257-944954369968" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_CompensationAndBenefitsExpenseAdjusted_019e2241-27c4-72cd-a305-acd451867eed" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_CompensationAndBenefitsExpenseAdjusted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7786-8175-665e27151755" xlink:to="loc_laz_CompensationAndBenefitsExpenseAdjusted_019e2241-27c4-72cd-a305-acd451867eed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_AdjustedNonCompensationExpense_019e2241-27c4-7b0c-a308-29ff89210d09" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_AdjustedNonCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7786-8175-665e27151755" xlink:to="loc_laz_AdjustedNonCompensationExpense_019e2241-27c4-7b0c-a308-29ff89210d09" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_019e2241-27c4-7f18-9f4c-b1b3ea5260c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7786-8175-665e27151755" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_019e2241-27c4-7f18-9f4c-b1b3ea5260c9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_OperatingIncomeLossAdjusted_019e2241-27c4-7687-b52c-fb4ece5d48d5" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_OperatingIncomeLossAdjusted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7786-8175-665e27151755" xlink:to="loc_laz_OperatingIncomeLossAdjusted_019e2241-27c4-7687-b52c-fb4ece5d48d5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating_019e2241-27c4-75cd-814f-11fbeb674633" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7786-8175-665e27151755" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating_019e2241-27c4-75cd-814f-11fbeb674633" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DepreciationAndAmortizationAdjusted_019e2241-27c4-76fd-9906-7ed8aba87a25" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DepreciationAndAmortizationAdjusted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7786-8175-665e27151755" xlink:to="loc_laz_DepreciationAndAmortizationAdjusted_019e2241-27c4-76fd-9906-7ed8aba87a25" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDVIEsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDVIEsAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDVIEsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7597-9ac3-867ee9456939" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e2241-27c4-7697-8c9c-4fa69b48f525" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7597-9ac3-867ee9456939" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e2241-27c4-7697-8c9c-4fa69b48f525" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b55-8fb8-b73cf45401b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e2241-27c4-7697-8c9c-4fa69b48f525" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b55-8fb8-b73cf45401b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e2241-27c4-7b55-8fb8-b73cf45401b8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b55-8fb8-b73cf45401b8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e2241-27c4-7b55-8fb8-b73cf45401b8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d7b-9bd4-28ec6cb7bf15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-7b55-8fb8-b73cf45401b8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d7b-9bd4-28ec6cb7bf15" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardGroupLlcMember_019e2241-27c4-7f18-8b94-4e4d1e2f80ba" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardGroupLlcMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e2241-27c4-7d7b-9bd4-28ec6cb7bf15" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardGroupLlcMember_019e2241-27c4-7f18-8b94-4e4d1e2f80ba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Investments_019e2241-27c4-7e90-b53c-6db03712885a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Investments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7597-9ac3-867ee9456939" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Investments_019e2241-27c4-7e90-b53c-6db03712885a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeExtensibleEnumeration_019e2241-27c4-7b5e-b172-0bf1aa5e4062" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeExtensibleEnumeration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-7597-9ac3-867ee9456939" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeExtensibleEnumeration_019e2241-27c4-7b5e-b172-0bf1aa5e4062" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lazard.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDVIEsScheduleofConsolidatedVIEAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDVIEsScheduleofConsolidatedVIEAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lazard.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDVIEsScheduleofConsolidatedVIEAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-797d-95c2-f492a0da8908" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e2241-27c4-78b2-bad3-9ed6a4fdc310" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-797d-95c2-f492a0da8908" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e2241-27c4-78b2-bad3-9ed6a4fdc310" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-76ef-8cff-93208f978611" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019e2241-27c4-78b2-bad3-9ed6a4fdc310" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-76ef-8cff-93208f978611" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e2241-27c4-76ef-8cff-93208f978611_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-76ef-8cff-93208f978611" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e2241-27c4-76ef-8cff-93208f978611_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e2241-27c4-7203-a665-f82dd88ea3bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e2241-27c4-76ef-8cff-93208f978611" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e2241-27c4-7203-a665-f82dd88ea3bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e2241-27c4-7059-b2c4-03870a91aa6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e2241-27c4-7203-a665-f82dd88ea3bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e2241-27c4-7059-b2c4-03870a91aa6b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e2241-27c4-752f-81a6-3a0f0d421514" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-797d-95c2-f492a0da8908" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e2241-27c4-752f-81a6-3a0f0d421514" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e2241-27c4-7f78-ba41-fedcb8780b44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e2241-27c4-752f-81a6-3a0f0d421514" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e2241-27c4-7f78-ba41-fedcb8780b44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ReceivablesFromCustomersAndOther_019e2241-27c4-7823-93b2-e8fb3cd9dfd2" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ReceivablesFromCustomersAndOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e2241-27c4-752f-81a6-3a0f0d421514" xlink:to="loc_laz_ReceivablesFromCustomersAndOther_019e2241-27c4-7823-93b2-e8fb3cd9dfd2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Investments_019e2241-27c4-7393-b7e4-633088d716c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Investments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e2241-27c4-752f-81a6-3a0f0d421514" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Investments_019e2241-27c4-7393-b7e4-633088d716c6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_019e2241-27c4-7760-ab36-f7d3756c1840" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e2241-27c4-752f-81a6-3a0f0d421514" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_019e2241-27c4-7760-ab36-f7d3756c1840" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e2241-27c4-7385-a373-ecf22e916d67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e2241-27c4-752f-81a6-3a0f0d421514" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e2241-27c4-7385-a373-ecf22e916d67" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019e2241-27c4-72da-89ff-8fd6de85a65b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019e2241-27c4-797d-95c2-f492a0da8908" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019e2241-27c4-72da-89ff-8fd6de85a65b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_DepositsAndOtherCustomerPayables_019e2241-27c4-7988-b2a2-51a7a26940c2" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_DepositsAndOtherCustomerPayables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019e2241-27c4-72da-89ff-8fd6de85a65b" xlink:to="loc_laz_DepositsAndOtherCustomerPayables_019e2241-27c4-7988-b2a2-51a7a26940c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_019e2241-27c4-7b0f-bd63-064e6501ab34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019e2241-27c4-72da-89ff-8fd6de85a65b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_019e2241-27c4-7b0f-bd63-064e6501ab34" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019e2241-27c4-7bd5-8453-3143a92cdfdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019e2241-27c4-72da-89ff-8fd6de85a65b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019e2241-27c4-7bd5-8453-3143a92cdfdd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://fasb.org/srt/role/srt-eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-roles-2026.xsd#eedm1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://fasb.org/srt/role/srt-eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome" xlink:type="arc" order="691"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestMember_019e2241-24ae-77cf-bef8-9fa0a53cee12" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_LazardFundInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="loc_laz_LazardFundInterestMember_019e2241-24ae-77cf-bef8-9fa0a53cee12" xlink:type="arc" order="31"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/IndividualsOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2026/ecd-2026.xsd#IndividualsOnly"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/IndividualsOnly" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecd_AllIndividualsMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2026/ecd-2026.xsd#ecd_AllIndividualsMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_PeterR.OrszagMember_019f6c22-bf0e-742d-b395-71e90fa1a713" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_PeterR.OrszagMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ecd_AllIndividualsMember" xlink:to="loc_laz_PeterR.OrszagMember_019f6c22-bf0e-742d-b395-71e90fa1a713" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_TracyFarrMember_019f6c22-ea12-7b2d-80fb-e79339fa9dcc" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_TracyFarrMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ecd_AllIndividualsMember" xlink:to="loc_laz_TracyFarrMember_019f6c22-ea12-7b2d-80fb-e79339fa9dcc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ChristoperHogbinMember_019f6c23-202f-7b15-a150-04b920e4a34a" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ChristoperHogbinMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ecd_AllIndividualsMember" xlink:to="loc_laz_ChristoperHogbinMember_019f6c23-202f-7b15-a150-04b920e4a34a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_laz_ChristopherA.WeidemanMember_019f6c23-667e-7121-b588-f5ff7af6e5cb" xlink:href="laz-20260630.xsd#laz_ChristopherA.WeidemanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ecd_AllIndividualsMember" xlink:to="loc_laz_ChristopherA.WeidemanMember_019f6c23-667e-7121-b588-f5ff7af6e5cb" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
