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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2020 Workiva-->
<!--r:269c8a80-953a-4198-acbb-03dc96201a71,g:fe807723-61ba-43ee-b73b-a388fa1ff3cc-->
<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://westwoodgroup.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#Cover"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="extended" id="i183a26002b9b47debd374ff90bcdc2f2_7f7e661a-2f17-4a4f-92fe-f5e1484f5a06"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/DocumentandEntityInformation" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#DocumentandEntityInformation"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/DocumentandEntityInformation" xlink:type="extended" id="i3e89ec220da7439ca390e32467bff0d4_eb956beb-7fcd-42af-8762-1dd3296a42cd"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETS" xlink:type="extended" id="ibbeb6ef15eab4c9aaffe8170b7fb2c5d_c89b990c-bbdb-4067-b14c-c7eeae781ac2"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" id="i69f073adb52341e2a3472cd376373afd_0f127b05-33f4-4255-ad1d-e3e236a32d9c"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOME" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOME"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOME" xlink:type="extended" id="i66de88c382814372b83b935cb91ceca4_2e249773-b6ad-4e6e-a4a8-98795e6f4e80">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_dcfaf70a-adfe-4295-892a-6fe846d58d0b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax_04f9b6cb-4c77-4ed5-a737-542070a03e8b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_dcfaf70a-adfe-4295-892a-6fe846d58d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax_04f9b6cb-4c77-4ed5-a737-542070a03e8b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_OtherRevenueNet_93cefaf0-f637-4bf0-89c1-78ca6240e6ee" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_OtherRevenueNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_dcfaf70a-adfe-4295-892a-6fe846d58d0b" xlink:to="loc_whg_OtherRevenueNet_93cefaf0-f637-4bf0-89c1-78ca6240e6ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_fe1d705b-72ec-44eb-9207-523318b2a309" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_dcfaf70a-adfe-4295-892a-6fe846d58d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_fe1d705b-72ec-44eb-9207-523318b2a309" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_360737f4-cedf-42c9-a99e-9765ced53f64" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_dcfaf70a-adfe-4295-892a-6fe846d58d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_360737f4-cedf-42c9-a99e-9765ced53f64" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9e0a66ba-49cd-439d-bfb3-a0a07350dd67" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_dcfaf70a-adfe-4295-892a-6fe846d58d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9e0a66ba-49cd-439d-bfb3-a0a07350dd67" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1d16a7f8-d786-413a-817f-9247862c3bf1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9e0a66ba-49cd-439d-bfb3-a0a07350dd67" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1d16a7f8-d786-413a-817f-9247862c3bf1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_1d16a7f8-d786-413a-817f-9247862c3bf1_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1d16a7f8-d786-413a-817f-9247862c3bf1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_1d16a7f8-d786-413a-817f-9247862c3bf1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2e0c59a6-f9a1-44a4-a69d-669de3b07c98" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1d16a7f8-d786-413a-817f-9247862c3bf1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2e0c59a6-f9a1-44a4-a69d-669de3b07c98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_d09ee317-0f99-4988-8083-2628256c7829" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2e0c59a6-f9a1-44a4-a69d-669de3b07c98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_d09ee317-0f99-4988-8083-2628256c7829" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentPerformanceMember_2786c4df-ad83-4cb5-8554-de9f2382c150" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentPerformanceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2e0c59a6-f9a1-44a4-a69d-669de3b07c98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentPerformanceMember_2786c4df-ad83-4cb5-8554-de9f2382c150" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiduciaryAndTrustMember_7ce91210-ff88-4e43-967e-db2f4461d9b9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiduciaryAndTrustMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2e0c59a6-f9a1-44a4-a69d-669de3b07c98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiduciaryAndTrustMember_7ce91210-ff88-4e43-967e-db2f4461d9b9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_42df1ea9-d8e7-4fba-a4ae-34684787ca7f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RestatementAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9e0a66ba-49cd-439d-bfb3-a0a07350dd67" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_42df1ea9-d8e7-4fba-a4ae-34684787ca7f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_42df1ea9-d8e7-4fba-a4ae-34684787ca7f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RestatementDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_42df1ea9-d8e7-4fba-a4ae-34684787ca7f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_42df1ea9-d8e7-4fba-a4ae-34684787ca7f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_83f612d8-477e-4e9b-a6d0-8b4998bc0d2d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RestatementDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_42df1ea9-d8e7-4fba-a4ae-34684787ca7f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_83f612d8-477e-4e9b-a6d0-8b4998bc0d2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_e5035e1d-d5ea-4796-b310-99711188c489" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9e0a66ba-49cd-439d-bfb3-a0a07350dd67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_e5035e1d-d5ea-4796-b310-99711188c489" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_e5035e1d-d5ea-4796-b310-99711188c489_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_e5035e1d-d5ea-4796-b310-99711188c489" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_e5035e1d-d5ea-4796-b310-99711188c489_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_764dab9a-5cd2-4e04-936c-dfb67785867f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_e5035e1d-d5ea-4796-b310-99711188c489" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_764dab9a-5cd2-4e04-936c-dfb67785867f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_76b36054-822c-41d6-b4d4-e44fcc0bd243" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_764dab9a-5cd2-4e04-936c-dfb67785867f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_76b36054-822c-41d6-b4d4-e44fcc0bd243" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTsOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTsOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTsOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="extended" id="i7933f4461ac749879e5e49662a429993_6fd9914e-d9e7-4f15-83d2-a54f67fffaa8">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification_936190eb-a882-4e0b-bb5f-f86d59b0541d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification_936190eb-a882-4e0b-bb5f-f86d59b0541d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_77b51b0f-de0b-4a53-a6c8-804297de4f78" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_77b51b0f-de0b-4a53-a6c8-804297de4f78" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_63e105ab-3ba8-4ddc-8185-6f0bafd94725" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_63e105ab-3ba8-4ddc-8185-6f0bafd94725" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_a972cfb8-c6bf-4d98-9bef-a31a221ea362" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_a972cfb8-c6bf-4d98-9bef-a31a221ea362" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_7d41447a-fe93-40ad-9620-121da259ffb1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_7d41447a-fe93-40ad-9620-121da259ffb1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_25a9852b-1af6-4845-bbd0-512d9894853b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_25a9852b-1af6-4845-bbd0-512d9894853b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions_6a341fae-1739-4a42-abfa-cbb053fb51fb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions_6a341fae-1739-4a42-abfa-cbb053fb51fb" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions_a6a7ddb4-fd5a-4cc8-9b0e-2118627dfbfc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions_a6a7ddb4-fd5a-4cc8-9b0e-2118627dfbfc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_00d4d091-164c-49e4-be57-4dba31878443" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_00d4d091-164c-49e4-be57-4dba31878443" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_7af182d3-abeb-4a92-850d-2cc0c8b089dd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_7af182d3-abeb-4a92-850d-2cc0c8b089dd" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_bfd066ef-a6bd-45bf-8eff-7041202f0ba3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_bfd066ef-a6bd-45bf-8eff-7041202f0ba3" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther_93dfb460-1ce4-4f60-a24a-41529b70ac97" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther_93dfb460-1ce4-4f60-a24a-41529b70ac97" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxDeficiencyFromShareBasedCompensation_77b09aae-988e-46a6-9b88-82fc2edef367" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxDeficiencyFromShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxDeficiencyFromShareBasedCompensation_77b09aae-988e-46a6-9b88-82fc2edef367" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_21fe66fe-7316-4e95-9304-4aa06862955d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_21fe66fe-7316-4e95-9304-4aa06862955d" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_4d12097a-31f0-410e-bff9-5136145bf299" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_4d12097a-31f0-410e-bff9-5136145bf299" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_47828125-96fc-4e95-8958-4a2a50e904fd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_47828125-96fc-4e95-8958-4a2a50e904fd" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross_a2befab5-e3e5-41f7-8432-2ff0b7ae3dd2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross_a2befab5-e3e5-41f7-8432-2ff0b7ae3dd2" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_8e404993-e0ae-40b5-a40d-1088ea2f8c02" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_8e404993-e0ae-40b5-a40d-1088ea2f8c02" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_0fee47f7-3113-41ae-9f27-494a4eae60fb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_0fee47f7-3113-41ae-9f27-494a4eae60fb" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockValueSharesIssuedNetOfTaxWithholdings_1c553020-56e3-4cb7-85e6-a84a29336e03" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockValueSharesIssuedNetOfTaxWithholdings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockValueSharesIssuedNetOfTaxWithholdings_1c553020-56e3-4cb7-85e6-a84a29336e03" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockSharesIssuedNetOfSharesForTaxWithholdings_8c0b5848-c754-4169-a5eb-9b96a0d97b24" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockSharesIssuedNetOfSharesForTaxWithholdings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockSharesIssuedNetOfSharesForTaxWithholdings_8c0b5848-c754-4169-a5eb-9b96a0d97b24" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_4f1b3b3d-d777-48b6-b0ab-293ab0273342" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_0b2dbb8d-d938-487a-b34c-06877333fd04" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax_3fd9cd54-87f9-4d06-b247-98d6179608cf" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_whg_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax_3fd9cd54-87f9-4d06-b247-98d6179608cf" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_c630b716-7cf5-41f7-b37a-e9a713d773a3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7e57b8b0-9f58-4705-8203-ffcd25ea0211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_c630b716-7cf5-41f7-b37a-e9a713d773a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2c0ee24e-7d95-4aba-8b60-c0e226d16388" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_c630b716-7cf5-41f7-b37a-e9a713d773a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2c0ee24e-7d95-4aba-8b60-c0e226d16388" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2c0ee24e-7d95-4aba-8b60-c0e226d16388_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2c0ee24e-7d95-4aba-8b60-c0e226d16388" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2c0ee24e-7d95-4aba-8b60-c0e226d16388_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4137de68-f4e0-4f65-878f-cf22822cd238" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2c0ee24e-7d95-4aba-8b60-c0e226d16388" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4137de68-f4e0-4f65-878f-cf22822cd238" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_abdecf31-99af-4cdf-b6d5-32feb84ce6b7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4137de68-f4e0-4f65-878f-cf22822cd238" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_abdecf31-99af-4cdf-b6d5-32feb84ce6b7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_7ea330bd-f84e-44ff-b323-8cbf5f7640bf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4137de68-f4e0-4f65-878f-cf22822cd238" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_7ea330bd-f84e-44ff-b323-8cbf5f7640bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_5120e49d-fa94-4404-878f-08f4d84f48af" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4137de68-f4e0-4f65-878f-cf22822cd238" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_5120e49d-fa94-4404-878f-08f4d84f48af" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_0a444781-58c7-46e1-aed6-b015ed86c36c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4137de68-f4e0-4f65-878f-cf22822cd238" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_0a444781-58c7-46e1-aed6-b015ed86c36c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_55d4da3c-1abf-4bbe-815e-ef8c59e86328" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4137de68-f4e0-4f65-878f-cf22822cd238" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_55d4da3c-1abf-4bbe-815e-ef8c59e86328" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAppropriatedMember_258917f3-f3b4-4248-a8d5-47f6b3fbf667" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAppropriatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4137de68-f4e0-4f65-878f-cf22822cd238" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAppropriatedMember_258917f3-f3b4-4248-a8d5-47f6b3fbf667" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201609Member_f4d148e5-161e-473e-b91c-715e2767de14" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201609Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4137de68-f4e0-4f65-878f-cf22822cd238" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201609Member_f4d148e5-161e-473e-b91c-715e2767de14" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" id="i69b707e65617434cb92421ce82172a82_40a22519-16db-4909-bb80-641ba370ac3a"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS" xlink:type="extended" id="ied35746b5d7f4ed58c1bd340e64f0c28_15df40af-a391-4255-9221-d67c605a333e"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/DescriptionoftheBusiness" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#DescriptionoftheBusiness"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/DescriptionoftheBusiness" xlink:type="extended" id="i34b297546899441ca8e42bac84b83836_5f376b6c-e8b9-40f2-8b92-78aa7b536fa3"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/DescriptionoftheBusinessDivestitureofOmahaOperationsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#DescriptionoftheBusinessDivestitureofOmahaOperationsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/DescriptionoftheBusinessDivestitureofOmahaOperationsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i100305a00bc444bf871ebefb7efb366a_936fc25f-640f-4001-aa1d-ceed3f33432f">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_f6e82bee-f5c9-41db-9fc2-dbbadebfd618" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsDisclosureTextBlock_e98aa3bb-edbb-4029-b070-ec192969d437" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsDisclosureTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_f6e82bee-f5c9-41db-9fc2-dbbadebfd618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsDisclosureTextBlock_e98aa3bb-edbb-4029-b070-ec192969d437" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_30932fff-8a1d-44f2-bdd8-fafbdd4a7800" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_f6e82bee-f5c9-41db-9fc2-dbbadebfd618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_30932fff-8a1d-44f2-bdd8-fafbdd4a7800" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_4cbb29b4-5210-4a9f-881d-2db39f33b7f4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_30932fff-8a1d-44f2-bdd8-fafbdd4a7800" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_4cbb29b4-5210-4a9f-881d-2db39f33b7f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_4cbb29b4-5210-4a9f-881d-2db39f33b7f4_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_4cbb29b4-5210-4a9f-881d-2db39f33b7f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_4cbb29b4-5210-4a9f-881d-2db39f33b7f4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_68a00907-9c69-45e1-9587-81e7545c2faa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_4cbb29b4-5210-4a9f-881d-2db39f33b7f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_68a00907-9c69-45e1-9587-81e7545c2faa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6072e6f0-0eb2-4f48-a2de-c26883bec1a8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_30932fff-8a1d-44f2-bdd8-fafbdd4a7800" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6072e6f0-0eb2-4f48-a2de-c26883bec1a8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_6072e6f0-0eb2-4f48-a2de-c26883bec1a8_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6072e6f0-0eb2-4f48-a2de-c26883bec1a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_6072e6f0-0eb2-4f48-a2de-c26883bec1a8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_4d3f715c-1072-4f7d-8b3c-58a19ec0dfa6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_6072e6f0-0eb2-4f48-a2de-c26883bec1a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_4d3f715c-1072-4f7d-8b3c-58a19ec0dfa6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_3ae84843-8230-44f8-b257-7cff4ec32a4a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_30932fff-8a1d-44f2-bdd8-fafbdd4a7800" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_3ae84843-8230-44f8-b257-7cff4ec32a4a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_3ae84843-8230-44f8-b257-7cff4ec32a4a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_3ae84843-8230-44f8-b257-7cff4ec32a4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_3ae84843-8230-44f8-b257-7cff4ec32a4a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_c6e3273d-08d9-489c-bc59-2c629b7ae887" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_3ae84843-8230-44f8-b257-7cff4ec32a4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_c6e3273d-08d9-489c-bc59-2c629b7ae887" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/DescriptionoftheBusinessDetailsTextual" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#DescriptionoftheBusinessDetailsTextual"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/DescriptionoftheBusinessDetailsTextual" xlink:type="extended" id="i1a9f2172befe41eda9c0637100819371_c5cc77d8-6705-4fc6-9afb-7f1d04d331ae">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_7cdd5678-4648-4fcd-b8ea-05fce6bf203b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_7cdd5678-4648-4fcd-b8ea-05fce6bf203b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationDateOfIncorporation_df76d297-747d-4337-baca-6dcf33747a8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationDateOfIncorporation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationDateOfIncorporation_df76d297-747d-4337-baca-6dcf33747a8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredCashandEquityInterestsIssuedandIssuable_f049428d-c31e-47d2-9ff2-b68f0ea391c9" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredCashandEquityInterestsIssuedandIssuable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_whg_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredCashandEquityInterestsIssuedandIssuable_f049428d-c31e-47d2-9ff2-b68f0ea391c9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh_4bc0857c-fa60-497a-872d-20625b70cae5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh_4bc0857c-fa60-497a-872d-20625b70cae5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_c666a712-d12d-46ec-ad79-fed130ae3b61" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_c666a712-d12d-46ec-ad79-fed130ae3b61" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_d8a865a5-8bf9-4a17-a673-27b60d837f56" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_d8a865a5-8bf9-4a17-a673-27b60d837f56" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable_6dc896ba-1421-4e51-bf8f-c77bcedf13ea" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable_6dc896ba-1421-4e51-bf8f-c77bcedf13ea" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableValueAssigned_86d3a70f-ebe2-4c5a-b79a-0c42c3516180" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableValueAssigned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableValueAssigned_86d3a70f-ebe2-4c5a-b79a-0c42c3516180" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_302ede37-870c-4b33-a2e5-d430201d7bf2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_302ede37-870c-4b33-a2e5-d430201d7bf2" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_0b55e6cb-d8bd-491c-8325-05acc26af03c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_0b55e6cb-d8bd-491c-8325-05acc26af03c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent_693e346d-c665-4651-bcfd-7702b658c907" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent_693e346d-c665-4651-bcfd-7702b658c907" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_53e78b76-193d-4dea-ae5a-91e2e087434d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_53e78b76-193d-4dea-ae5a-91e2e087434d" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_7c7022c2-5d0e-4859-8cb9-12142a9aed13" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_7c7022c2-5d0e-4859-8cb9-12142a9aed13" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_eab8367d-0e34-4d4e-8a6d-e10f5bc881ca" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_eab8367d-0e34-4d4e-8a6d-e10f5bc881ca" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_5e0ecfe0-ac2a-499b-8761-4975efd22952" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_5e0ecfe0-ac2a-499b-8761-4975efd22952" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_6e7af0e2-bb76-4136-aa32-7734e8edc2e0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_6e7af0e2-bb76-4136-aa32-7734e8edc2e0" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal_05f5885c-062c-4d1e-87f8-f4930d8202ee" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal_05f5885c-062c-4d1e-87f8-f4930d8202ee" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_8d8f13bf-10ed-4760-aa81-ebc22c7e4e66" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_d42a1474-46b3-474d-ae7e-b42f39646c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_8d8f13bf-10ed-4760-aa81-ebc22c7e4e66" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_a424b674-a806-46a7-870d-4318a4066ab2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_8d8f13bf-10ed-4760-aa81-ebc22c7e4e66" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_a424b674-a806-46a7-870d-4318a4066ab2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_a424b674-a806-46a7-870d-4318a4066ab2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_a424b674-a806-46a7-870d-4318a4066ab2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_a424b674-a806-46a7-870d-4318a4066ab2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_897d5273-be2b-4a3b-b9d0-9183a9172550" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_a424b674-a806-46a7-870d-4318a4066ab2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_897d5273-be2b-4a3b-b9d0-9183a9172550" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_a5347efb-0639-489e-b874-10b26af21b51" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_897d5273-be2b-4a3b-b9d0-9183a9172550" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_a5347efb-0639-489e-b874-10b26af21b51" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ebea1a2c-e6f4-4674-b6c2-a38b3c417205" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_8d8f13bf-10ed-4760-aa81-ebc22c7e4e66" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ebea1a2c-e6f4-4674-b6c2-a38b3c417205" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ebea1a2c-e6f4-4674-b6c2-a38b3c417205_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ebea1a2c-e6f4-4674-b6c2-a38b3c417205" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ebea1a2c-e6f4-4674-b6c2-a38b3c417205_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_e804bb7c-1310-4b2a-b46a-4b89cccda2ee" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ebea1a2c-e6f4-4674-b6c2-a38b3c417205" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_e804bb7c-1310-4b2a-b46a-4b89cccda2ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_WoodwayFinancialAdvisorsMember_a8774929-0404-4fb5-af25-790da68d09d9" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_WoodwayFinancialAdvisorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_e804bb7c-1310-4b2a-b46a-4b89cccda2ee" xlink:to="loc_whg_WoodwayFinancialAdvisorsMember_a8774929-0404-4fb5-af25-790da68d09d9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="ib9e034ccb0aa4ab4bcfcf90b9ef22eef_65fb774a-2c77-4f5e-bcc8-76b8d54616ef"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="i23932a856d9644eb8c603e824cbf26e3_075aa7b9-8d41-4a96-82ba-71aea4759841"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsTextual" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsTextual"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsTextual" xlink:type="extended" id="ia48e3b2746544a60a72231fd7c6c9d5e_58cfc14d-a86e-4e1e-992c-76e0d4b2b20e">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_b327c9e7-88d5-4db9-b657-3537eaf27a03" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_b327c9e7-88d5-4db9-b657-3537eaf27a03" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_13e4fb45-b495-470e-ae03-8a7aee118b93" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_13e4fb45-b495-470e-ae03-8a7aee118b93" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits_42f25420-3f11-44d5-8d93-8be59391810f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits_42f25420-3f11-44d5-8d93-8be59391810f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_97aba117-cc71-4622-9b46-6fc531616970" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_97aba117-cc71-4622-9b46-6fc531616970" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_9ca6b2ee-b7d8-45a9-9b0e-ba532abd20ea" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_9ca6b2ee-b7d8-45a9-9b0e-ba532abd20ea" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentEstimatedUsefulLives_443705ef-981d-4aca-83c5-851987e06c4b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentEstimatedUsefulLives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentEstimatedUsefulLives_443705ef-981d-4aca-83c5-851987e06c4b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_ccba1dbf-4c91-4dad-8292-24566c72d987" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_ccba1dbf-4c91-4dad-8292-24566c72d987" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_ff306169-64fa-4663-b623-bf17a6afb2dd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_ff306169-64fa-4663-b623-bf17a6afb2dd" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits_922ac247-7fd0-433b-ae36-8daa26b55874" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits_922ac247-7fd0-433b-ae36-8daa26b55874" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsContingencies_3af3f999-22b3-4e6e-8674-c167139fb3e8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsContingencies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsContingencies_3af3f999-22b3-4e6e-8674-c167139fb3e8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_84ae0d50-4a1b-48f0-bae1-c6b215b2fc77" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_84ae0d50-4a1b-48f0-bae1-c6b215b2fc77" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxrateexcludingASU201609adoption_6107c3bf-c37e-42ab-9805-1b5c41b313f4" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxrateexcludingASU201609adoption"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_whg_TaxrateexcludingASU201609adoption_6107c3bf-c37e-42ab-9805-1b5c41b313f4" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification_16ee4ee1-f1e7-49fd-b535-326fe447b762" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification_16ee4ee1-f1e7-49fd-b535-326fe447b762" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_SignificantAccountingPolicyTable_2c2dc197-4b79-4422-8a85-50a24f07eaa6" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_SignificantAccountingPolicyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_whg_ScheduleOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_3dc1659f-ba1c-49a0-9bc8-cf24d5251f20" xlink:to="loc_whg_SignificantAccountingPolicyTable_2c2dc197-4b79-4422-8a85-50a24f07eaa6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_88e28bdd-2fed-4147-b4e6-e1ecea0f32bb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_whg_SignificantAccountingPolicyTable_2c2dc197-4b79-4422-8a85-50a24f07eaa6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_88e28bdd-2fed-4147-b4e6-e1ecea0f32bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_88e28bdd-2fed-4147-b4e6-e1ecea0f32bb_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_88e28bdd-2fed-4147-b4e6-e1ecea0f32bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_88e28bdd-2fed-4147-b4e6-e1ecea0f32bb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_8ed0d6ea-fe3c-4880-9574-97a90ec1715a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_88e28bdd-2fed-4147-b4e6-e1ecea0f32bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_8ed0d6ea-fe3c-4880-9574-97a90ec1715a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_AdoptionofASU201609Member_44eb0df4-c6af-46f0-9d0d-c6833974c78a" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_AdoptionofASU201609Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_8ed0d6ea-fe3c-4880-9574-97a90ec1715a" xlink:to="loc_whg_AdoptionofASU201609Member_44eb0df4-c6af-46f0-9d0d-c6833974c78a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_94638d54-5fd5-47c4-b640-e97af87d3e5f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_whg_SignificantAccountingPolicyTable_2c2dc197-4b79-4422-8a85-50a24f07eaa6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_94638d54-5fd5-47c4-b640-e97af87d3e5f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_94638d54-5fd5-47c4-b640-e97af87d3e5f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_94638d54-5fd5-47c4-b640-e97af87d3e5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_94638d54-5fd5-47c4-b640-e97af87d3e5f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b35dba2c-50eb-4f85-8d36-31b7ffa367f2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_94638d54-5fd5-47c4-b640-e97af87d3e5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b35dba2c-50eb-4f85-8d36-31b7ffa367f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_03e29fd9-c17e-4b8a-841f-a62e579a4fb7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b35dba2c-50eb-4f85-8d36-31b7ffa367f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_03e29fd9-c17e-4b8a-841f-a62e579a4fb7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_AdoptionofASU201609Member_514abaa5-e464-4323-80db-973f7d24edc5" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_AdoptionofASU201609Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b35dba2c-50eb-4f85-8d36-31b7ffa367f2" xlink:to="loc_whg_AdoptionofASU201609Member_514abaa5-e464-4323-80db-973f7d24edc5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_2573d298-ef19-4da7-a77e-364ebc890f09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_whg_SignificantAccountingPolicyTable_2c2dc197-4b79-4422-8a85-50a24f07eaa6" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_2573d298-ef19-4da7-a77e-364ebc890f09" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2573d298-ef19-4da7-a77e-364ebc890f09_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_2573d298-ef19-4da7-a77e-364ebc890f09" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_2573d298-ef19-4da7-a77e-364ebc890f09_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f598f504-7310-4e94-8798-408fbbe6f188" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_2573d298-ef19-4da7-a77e-364ebc890f09" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f598f504-7310-4e94-8798-408fbbe6f188" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_WestwoodInternationalAdvisorsIncMember_fcc4d0b0-502d-4b0f-9023-9b10bdc2da2b" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_WestwoodInternationalAdvisorsIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f598f504-7310-4e94-8798-408fbbe6f188" xlink:to="loc_whg_WestwoodInternationalAdvisorsIncMember_fcc4d0b0-502d-4b0f-9023-9b10bdc2da2b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2e5682ee-0b87-472c-8e8c-3a2f075dca7c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_whg_SignificantAccountingPolicyTable_2c2dc197-4b79-4422-8a85-50a24f07eaa6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2e5682ee-0b87-472c-8e8c-3a2f075dca7c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2e5682ee-0b87-472c-8e8c-3a2f075dca7c_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2e5682ee-0b87-472c-8e8c-3a2f075dca7c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2e5682ee-0b87-472c-8e8c-3a2f075dca7c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_69b66814-6000-46e8-90aa-c533c5af9587" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2e5682ee-0b87-472c-8e8c-3a2f075dca7c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_69b66814-6000-46e8-90aa-c533c5af9587" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_CanadianPlanMember_84fba9ec-ccd1-4a20-84a1-b3d7e71262d1" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_CanadianPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_69b66814-6000-46e8-90aa-c533c5af9587" xlink:to="loc_whg_CanadianPlanMember_84fba9ec-ccd1-4a20-84a1-b3d7e71262d1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_78fe26b3-831f-4c82-ab49-a8f7656b5b4c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_whg_SignificantAccountingPolicyTable_2c2dc197-4b79-4422-8a85-50a24f07eaa6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_78fe26b3-831f-4c82-ab49-a8f7656b5b4c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_78fe26b3-831f-4c82-ab49-a8f7656b5b4c_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_78fe26b3-831f-4c82-ab49-a8f7656b5b4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_78fe26b3-831f-4c82-ab49-a8f7656b5b4c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_14f7361a-29fa-44f0-8f2f-55ff3a235faa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_78fe26b3-831f-4c82-ab49-a8f7656b5b4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_14f7361a-29fa-44f0-8f2f-55ff3a235faa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_18c83df5-32da-447d-a547-7ed16cab57e9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_14f7361a-29fa-44f0-8f2f-55ff3a235faa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_18c83df5-32da-447d-a547-7ed16cab57e9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_07a78ab8-2a72-47d8-aca9-550b30ff5b86" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_14f7361a-29fa-44f0-8f2f-55ff3a235faa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_07a78ab8-2a72-47d8-aca9-550b30ff5b86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_4a75dd2c-46cc-4f7a-a167-23f95a0d9818" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_whg_SignificantAccountingPolicyTable_2c2dc197-4b79-4422-8a85-50a24f07eaa6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_4a75dd2c-46cc-4f7a-a167-23f95a0d9818" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_4a75dd2c-46cc-4f7a-a167-23f95a0d9818_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_4a75dd2c-46cc-4f7a-a167-23f95a0d9818" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_4a75dd2c-46cc-4f7a-a167-23f95a0d9818_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_67d5fbcf-47a1-4035-88e0-da580f3b4aed" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_4a75dd2c-46cc-4f7a-a167-23f95a0d9818" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_67d5fbcf-47a1-4035-88e0-da580f3b4aed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_77acdfc9-878e-41bb-8e4a-bfc41c34e1ba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_67d5fbcf-47a1-4035-88e0-da580f3b4aed" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_77acdfc9-878e-41bb-8e4a-bfc41c34e1ba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_dad1a54a-3bd1-4dd5-8824-ab36e6d786a0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_67d5fbcf-47a1-4035-88e0-da580f3b4aed" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_dad1a54a-3bd1-4dd5-8824-ab36e6d786a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNewAccountingPronouncementsorChangeinAccountingPrincipleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNewAccountingPronouncementsorChangeinAccountingPrincipleDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNewAccountingPronouncementsorChangeinAccountingPrincipleDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2e41cebceaba4fba95c4a5e1b3c10dbe_c643a81a-fccc-4e75-83e5-9ea381b36719">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_EstimatedleaseassetandnetleaseliabilityforASU201602_b5382300-c772-41cc-83ab-603cb425f129" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_EstimatedleaseassetandnetleaseliabilityforASU201602"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_whg_EstimatedleaseassetandnetleaseliabilityforASU201602_b5382300-c772-41cc-83ab-603cb425f129" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_88731680-271f-4583-b0ac-ce8979bfb8e5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_88731680-271f-4583-b0ac-ce8979bfb8e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_9e517504-89ab-4d8c-bdc2-4bed13a664fc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_9e517504-89ab-4d8c-bdc2-4bed13a664fc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxrateexcludingASU201609adoption_8276fd06-8dd3-4845-87c4-4f39a58f4ae9" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxrateexcludingASU201609adoption"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_whg_TaxrateexcludingASU201609adoption_8276fd06-8dd3-4845-87c4-4f39a58f4ae9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification_1a5cc671-0340-4016-a63b-22a8243c6a03" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification_1a5cc671-0340-4016-a63b-22a8243c6a03" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_845e8845-9d17-4155-a9cc-a9b33d87e6b9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_845e8845-9d17-4155-a9cc-a9b33d87e6b9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments_e0594c09-e08e-42cf-897d-b59273ac7936" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments_e0594c09-e08e-42cf-897d-b59273ac7936" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_229545c6-a0aa-47b7-ae9d-1c4582fd0613" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_229545c6-a0aa-47b7-ae9d-1c4582fd0613" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForFees_48649493-361c-453a-a364-f0aa99827d99" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForFees_48649493-361c-453a-a364-f0aa99827d99" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_1a42d18b-dbcc-4a74-8b6d-ee2949afd447" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_1a42d18b-dbcc-4a74-8b6d-ee2949afd447" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRentCreditNoncurrent_f62efe46-8641-4d8d-9b8d-fecc5a58e19e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRentCreditNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRentCreditNoncurrent_f62efe46-8641-4d8d-9b8d-fecc5a58e19e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent_02cd67c7-1ba8-4920-9df3-51000fb531b8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent_02cd67c7-1ba8-4920-9df3-51000fb531b8" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_98abbd40-dded-4a63-99fd-5bac5a8c31e9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_8003677c-64ff-43b5-bca9-33962d72a6c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_98abbd40-dded-4a63-99fd-5bac5a8c31e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis_2b03e64e-41dd-4226-aaa7-3fde316ec702" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_98abbd40-dded-4a63-99fd-5bac5a8c31e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis_2b03e64e-41dd-4226-aaa7-3fde316ec702" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember_2b03e64e-41dd-4226-aaa7-3fde316ec702_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis_2b03e64e-41dd-4226-aaa7-3fde316ec702" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember_2b03e64e-41dd-4226-aaa7-3fde316ec702_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember_18ff3bbb-7621-42d8-bc27-9a398099acba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis_2b03e64e-41dd-4226-aaa7-3fde316ec702" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember_18ff3bbb-7621-42d8-bc27-9a398099acba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_AdoptionofASU201609Member_8455a07c-2df9-47bd-8603-8d9a153dfedd" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_AdoptionofASU201609Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember_18ff3bbb-7621-42d8-bc27-9a398099acba" xlink:to="loc_whg_AdoptionofASU201609Member_8455a07c-2df9-47bd-8603-8d9a153dfedd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1a7cd158-34b0-48ec-953a-5f1a6f21e1ab" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_98abbd40-dded-4a63-99fd-5bac5a8c31e9" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1a7cd158-34b0-48ec-953a-5f1a6f21e1ab" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_1a7cd158-34b0-48ec-953a-5f1a6f21e1ab_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1a7cd158-34b0-48ec-953a-5f1a6f21e1ab" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_1a7cd158-34b0-48ec-953a-5f1a6f21e1ab_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_24df4a5a-af98-4697-9103-966c3c97a8d0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1a7cd158-34b0-48ec-953a-5f1a6f21e1ab" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_24df4a5a-af98-4697-9103-966c3c97a8d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_7849dbf3-c29e-4725-8d79-bb67af0e3676" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_98abbd40-dded-4a63-99fd-5bac5a8c31e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_7849dbf3-c29e-4725-8d79-bb67af0e3676" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_7849dbf3-c29e-4725-8d79-bb67af0e3676_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_7849dbf3-c29e-4725-8d79-bb67af0e3676" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_7849dbf3-c29e-4725-8d79-bb67af0e3676_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_1d21daa7-35ef-4e8b-9cf8-0d15011bb6bf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_7849dbf3-c29e-4725-8d79-bb67af0e3676" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_1d21daa7-35ef-4e8b-9cf8-0d15011bb6bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember_7e8005fc-b0be-45d1-a225-0276cfe2faa6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_1d21daa7-35ef-4e8b-9cf8-0d15011bb6bf" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember_7e8005fc-b0be-45d1-a225-0276cfe2faa6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementAdjustmentMember_c11cc5a8-d430-4535-ab5c-9e8694b90f57" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RestatementAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_1d21daa7-35ef-4e8b-9cf8-0d15011bb6bf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementAdjustmentMember_c11cc5a8-d430-4535-ab5c-9e8694b90f57" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member_a3f94291-f772-4b26-b986-43a1596a8461" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_1d21daa7-35ef-4e8b-9cf8-0d15011bb6bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member_a3f94291-f772-4b26-b986-43a1596a8461" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementMember_e54992c8-c762-449e-b1ea-9d5fbd78e7e1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_1d21daa7-35ef-4e8b-9cf8-0d15011bb6bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementMember_e54992c8-c762-449e-b1ea-9d5fbd78e7e1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/Investments" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#Investments"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/Investments" xlink:type="extended" id="i82ca63e9f0a44f2aba7521c392855557_e4d22c78-7201-4488-9219-48a7524304ec"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#InvestmentsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i3f2a07e499b94848879e78615f604d0a_c1faa908-a86a-42fb-9cfa-abed68d2fa4f"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsTradingSecuritiesFVDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#InvestmentsTradingSecuritiesFVDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsTradingSecuritiesFVDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iba99d75f2a5946e0b176db567d5b97cc_a86804de-2cd9-4312-9835-dbed4b663c74">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e3fd074c-e93f-41b4-a2a6-aa0d441f728a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingRestrictedAbstract_7533538c-aa75-4563-a416-80c52391cf06" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingRestrictedAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e3fd074c-e93f-41b4-a2a6-aa0d441f728a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingRestrictedAbstract_7533538c-aa75-4563-a416-80c52391cf06" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesCost_a0daa457-ee07-476d-8996-f615a8a4f221" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingRestrictedAbstract_7533538c-aa75-4563-a416-80c52391cf06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesCost_a0daa457-ee07-476d-8996-f615a8a4f221" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingGain_cc37f7ae-d91a-44c4-aa93-5133a9a65770" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingGain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingRestrictedAbstract_7533538c-aa75-4563-a416-80c52391cf06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingGain_cc37f7ae-d91a-44c4-aa93-5133a9a65770" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingLoss_fbe07ac9-0da0-4c52-a4f2-2bd1677f6818" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingRestrictedAbstract_7533538c-aa75-4563-a416-80c52391cf06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingLoss_fbe07ac9-0da0-4c52-a4f2-2bd1677f6818" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_8173795d-47a6-4ea3-b218-fbb129d0af04" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingRestrictedAbstract_7533538c-aa75-4563-a416-80c52391cf06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_8173795d-47a6-4ea3-b218-fbb129d0af04" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingGain_7672acaf-5631-4bff-8cf7-3c7ae59fd442" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingGain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingLoss_7fd2c2e4-f467-46ab-9782-b410913b5537" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingLoss"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesCost_20bb0d5b-fcc2-40b1-9c92-5b0c1200763f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesCost"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedAtCost_1ea27834-a441-432e-b694-629658c8166d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedAtCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e3fd074c-e93f-41b4-a2a6-aa0d441f728a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedAtCost_1ea27834-a441-432e-b694-629658c8166d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_fce7c501-cc41-4dfb-bdd5-05d705ead4b8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecurities"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainOnSecurities_1ebaa40a-1055-48b8-a4a7-25e4ddab384b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainOnSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e3fd074c-e93f-41b4-a2a6-aa0d441f728a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainOnSecurities_1ebaa40a-1055-48b8-a4a7-25e4ddab384b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedLossOnSecurities_c2371dda-1e0e-42e1-b013-f19cb7babf4c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedLossOnSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e3fd074c-e93f-41b4-a2a6-aa0d441f728a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedLossOnSecurities_c2371dda-1e0e-42e1-b013-f19cb7babf4c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedAtFairValue_9f37d2b9-323a-49c1-b011-04197b6c144a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e3fd074c-e93f-41b4-a2a6-aa0d441f728a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedAtFairValue_9f37d2b9-323a-49c1-b011-04197b6c144a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments_60c09ce5-2c1c-4115-bd09-83f710c0e5a7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e3fd074c-e93f-41b4-a2a6-aa0d441f728a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments_60c09ce5-2c1c-4115-bd09-83f710c0e5a7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_b37e6490-6320-4181-9922-cae62863ff38" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e3fd074c-e93f-41b4-a2a6-aa0d441f728a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_b37e6490-6320-4181-9922-cae62863ff38" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_8c314cd8-a7d7-46cd-86e6-4c74708b6ea0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_b37e6490-6320-4181-9922-cae62863ff38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_8c314cd8-a7d7-46cd-86e6-4c74708b6ea0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_8c314cd8-a7d7-46cd-86e6-4c74708b6ea0_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_8c314cd8-a7d7-46cd-86e6-4c74708b6ea0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_8c314cd8-a7d7-46cd-86e6-4c74708b6ea0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_99daae31-a628-41ed-97b3-30a281c8466f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_8c314cd8-a7d7-46cd-86e6-4c74708b6ea0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_99daae31-a628-41ed-97b3-30a281c8466f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_f36e256d-0d66-4945-807f-9e54a1a77a8c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_99daae31-a628-41ed-97b3-30a281c8466f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_f36e256d-0d66-4945-807f-9e54a1a77a8c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_d51426f1-9338-4545-9b7e-fab7da02ff58" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_99daae31-a628-41ed-97b3-30a281c8466f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_d51426f1-9338-4545-9b7e-fab7da02ff58" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityFundsMember_da554b7d-981a-4394-b1a5-31ae915766b9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_99daae31-a628-41ed-97b3-30a281c8466f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityFundsMember_da554b7d-981a-4394-b1a5-31ae915766b9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsDomesticMember_fbcdc196-a9a2-4349-bc10-d6968edb0932" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsDomesticMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_99daae31-a628-41ed-97b3-30a281c8466f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsDomesticMember_fbcdc196-a9a2-4349-bc10-d6968edb0932" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_1c9baaaf-c577-4497-948e-a87fa2bfae63" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_99daae31-a628-41ed-97b3-30a281c8466f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrivateEquityFundsMember_1c9baaaf-c577-4497-948e-a87fa2bfae63" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsOtherRevenueDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#InvestmentsOtherRevenueDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsOtherRevenueDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="i77e9c94b036047d8bad2b6783cfbfcf6_6557ce60-8abf-4925-aeca-e60ca6b9e333"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsDetailsTextual" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#InvestmentsDetailsTextual"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsDetailsTextual" xlink:type="extended" id="if4584edb15004e2f9ee2dc0c50e596a8_74e8b7f8-7b9f-4763-b541-a596afc48c8b">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_2b64302e-0be9-4407-ab63-e3400fe74426" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_ef9c4238-3267-415c-9f0b-6b606e99e7ff" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_2b64302e-0be9-4407-ab63-e3400fe74426" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_ef9c4238-3267-415c-9f0b-6b606e99e7ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_05cd0353-13be-458c-9776-27da3bd5be3e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsLineItems_2b64302e-0be9-4407-ab63-e3400fe74426" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_05cd0353-13be-458c-9776-27da3bd5be3e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_b7293153-dff3-4ab4-854d-fb31d924faf9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_05cd0353-13be-458c-9776-27da3bd5be3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_b7293153-dff3-4ab4-854d-fb31d924faf9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_b7293153-dff3-4ab4-854d-fb31d924faf9_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_b7293153-dff3-4ab4-854d-fb31d924faf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_b7293153-dff3-4ab4-854d-fb31d924faf9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_85028eae-23b4-4bed-b667-4bb24c50635c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_b7293153-dff3-4ab4-854d-fb31d924faf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_85028eae-23b4-4bed-b667-4bb24c50635c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember_694e390c-d324-480f-a061-99cc3aef4723" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_85028eae-23b4-4bed-b667-4bb24c50635c" xlink:to="loc_whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember_694e390c-d324-480f-a061-99cc3aef4723" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_0e0c2c40-8980-41bd-bf9b-afbcd03b87d1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentsTable_05cd0353-13be-458c-9776-27da3bd5be3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_0e0c2c40-8980-41bd-bf9b-afbcd03b87d1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_0e0c2c40-8980-41bd-bf9b-afbcd03b87d1_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_0e0c2c40-8980-41bd-bf9b-afbcd03b87d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_0e0c2c40-8980-41bd-bf9b-afbcd03b87d1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_ae7741a9-5533-45b2-ba14-9264e4534043" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_0e0c2c40-8980-41bd-bf9b-afbcd03b87d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_ae7741a9-5533-45b2-ba14-9264e4534043" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsPrivateEquityInvestmentDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#InvestmentsPrivateEquityInvestmentDetails2"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsPrivateEquityInvestmentDetails2" xlink:type="extended" id="i0039f86d391e44898b6cd0e11bdb2141_fe74c934-cf03-4d3a-97b3-0ff5c4bac47c"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#InvestmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/InvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6e5ab511d3a74c6891d32e4ce4c1d692_e9922607-13f7-4837-9d3e-4a9a54713199"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstruments"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="extended" id="i9635ed14b8f5432ca8a5b09606d142aa_dc9d628e-9a3f-48c3-bbab-d9cf16bbbbe3"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i5c0b3167cd5243dab7c0259db26d564c_265113b0-e96e-46a2-9925-f08029e50dc7"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsLevelsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsLevelsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsLevelsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iaac693d221434891a0a196b958364086_8ff08cbc-5580-4876-a374-b6c9d0a46abe">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_18657592-aef7-4cc9-a6bb-52b35a1fb88d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_63e58f47-bee5-403c-a5d4-d21b17880758" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_18657592-aef7-4cc9-a6bb-52b35a1fb88d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_63e58f47-bee5-403c-a5d4-d21b17880758" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_36993515-bf47-40e6-af2b-c3f83d6c5d1c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_63e58f47-bee5-403c-a5d4-d21b17880758" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_36993515-bf47-40e6-af2b-c3f83d6c5d1c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetAssetLiability_5a9b52bb-dcd8-481c-81bb-86a11651c5c7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetAssetLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_63e58f47-bee5-403c-a5d4-d21b17880758" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetAssetLiability_5a9b52bb-dcd8-481c-81bb-86a11651c5c7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_LongTermInvestmentAtCostInPrivateEquity_85b4c272-16ef-44c9-bff8-b88032e25e97" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_LongTermInvestmentAtCostInPrivateEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_18657592-aef7-4cc9-a6bb-52b35a1fb88d" xlink:to="loc_whg_LongTermInvestmentAtCostInPrivateEquity_85b4c272-16ef-44c9-bff8-b88032e25e97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_LongTermInvestmentAtCostInAPrivateInvestmentFund_fc07fe19-baf9-42bf-9f26-e6ba277ed654" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_LongTermInvestmentAtCostInAPrivateInvestmentFund"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_18657592-aef7-4cc9-a6bb-52b35a1fb88d" xlink:to="loc_whg_LongTermInvestmentAtCostInAPrivateInvestmentFund_fc07fe19-baf9-42bf-9f26-e6ba277ed654" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_a8edcbef-8817-4ee6-b963-8b18626bfe2f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_18657592-aef7-4cc9-a6bb-52b35a1fb88d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_a8edcbef-8817-4ee6-b963-8b18626bfe2f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVAxis_b291cff7-3924-42a0-be5f-29e384490423" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_a8edcbef-8817-4ee6-b963-8b18626bfe2f" xlink:to="loc_whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVAxis_b291cff7-3924-42a0-be5f-29e384490423" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVDomain_b291cff7-3924-42a0-be5f-29e384490423_default" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVAxis_b291cff7-3924-42a0-be5f-29e384490423" xlink:to="loc_whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVDomain_b291cff7-3924-42a0-be5f-29e384490423_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVDomain_dd1ce0f8-fbce-4feb-96c8-7676baaf290e" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVAxis_b291cff7-3924-42a0-be5f-29e384490423" xlink:to="loc_whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVDomain_dd1ce0f8-fbce-4feb-96c8-7676baaf290e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_InputsNetAssetValueMember_a262218e-79ca-46c3-b910-b0a8f7485db8" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_InputsNetAssetValueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_FairValueHierarchyIncludingNAVDomain_dd1ce0f8-fbce-4feb-96c8-7676baaf290e" xlink:to="loc_whg_InputsNetAssetValueMember_a262218e-79ca-46c3-b910-b0a8f7485db8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_d6f664ce-e396-4dbc-8963-8604feaf5e50" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_a8edcbef-8817-4ee6-b963-8b18626bfe2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_d6f664ce-e396-4dbc-8963-8604feaf5e50" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d6f664ce-e396-4dbc-8963-8604feaf5e50_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_d6f664ce-e396-4dbc-8963-8604feaf5e50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d6f664ce-e396-4dbc-8963-8604feaf5e50_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_f07651b4-54bc-4392-9d65-a5558b2be383" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_d6f664ce-e396-4dbc-8963-8604feaf5e50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_f07651b4-54bc-4392-9d65-a5558b2be383" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_2b346c33-8c75-4714-a5cc-b52842518d50" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_f07651b4-54bc-4392-9d65-a5558b2be383" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_2b346c33-8c75-4714-a5cc-b52842518d50" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_8f02393c-9713-4678-845f-2691382b22e1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_f07651b4-54bc-4392-9d65-a5558b2be383" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_8f02393c-9713-4678-845f-2691382b22e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_12498ed7-c076-4ef6-af6e-b015843e3978" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_f07651b4-54bc-4392-9d65-a5558b2be383" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_12498ed7-c076-4ef6-af6e-b015843e3978" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssets" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssets"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssets" xlink:type="extended" id="i1fbbc249c2cb4859b55351eba2bbb574_a97be1da-465c-48dd-b188-0cbcd28f7ed1"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ie5be7a31d039426e9a8a069412840a4d_8eaff9b2-118d-4494-8e4b-ea6d4808945a"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ibf34a6d524be4e3ea6c91d31480811f6_06052a9f-e36e-4707-902d-a9e4fd76184d">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_94122c10-b4ef-4844-a3cc-a75db170b4cb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetWeightedAveragePeriodBeforeNextRenewalOrExtension_309eaa9a-f1d1-4cf8-9d7a-825be5787f2c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetWeightedAveragePeriodBeforeNextRenewalOrExtension"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_94122c10-b4ef-4844-a3cc-a75db170b4cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetWeightedAveragePeriodBeforeNextRenewalOrExtension_309eaa9a-f1d1-4cf8-9d7a-825be5787f2c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_c8592664-3966-48f2-973e-386f062d0c7c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_94122c10-b4ef-4844-a3cc-a75db170b4cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_c8592664-3966-48f2-973e-386f062d0c7c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_28b443d4-cb90-425a-bb1d-dc70c779cb3a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_94122c10-b4ef-4844-a3cc-a75db170b4cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_28b443d4-cb90-425a-bb1d-dc70c779cb3a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ed2e4f1d-24e3-4a4e-b6b2-604c3ed133bc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_28b443d4-cb90-425a-bb1d-dc70c779cb3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ed2e4f1d-24e3-4a4e-b6b2-604c3ed133bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_ed2e4f1d-24e3-4a4e-b6b2-604c3ed133bc_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ed2e4f1d-24e3-4a4e-b6b2-604c3ed133bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_ed2e4f1d-24e3-4a4e-b6b2-604c3ed133bc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7d6ad808-3f32-46d8-9cbd-4ba9a7f71b9e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ed2e4f1d-24e3-4a4e-b6b2-604c3ed133bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7d6ad808-3f32-46d8-9cbd-4ba9a7f71b9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_1a62e376-fd6c-446e-a779-1a04faab95bc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7d6ad808-3f32-46d8-9cbd-4ba9a7f71b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_1a62e376-fd6c-446e-a779-1a04faab95bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_fc1b77b9-f75e-45f6-a6dd-275099a0b480" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7d6ad808-3f32-46d8-9cbd-4ba9a7f71b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_fc1b77b9-f75e-45f6-a6dd-275099a0b480" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IntangibleAssetsDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#IntangibleAssetsDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IntangibleAssetsDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="ie1609528375649c888e1cef6c113aa29_e4200e42-cf00-47f0-a1a0-789467e60631">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_68a2bc3e-115e-4da3-87b3-fda05ee73e18" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_7c15ae32-ab35-402a-933c-32e1bfb83089" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_68a2bc3e-115e-4da3-87b3-fda05ee73e18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_7c15ae32-ab35-402a-933c-32e1bfb83089" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwillAbstract_cf7c2ce5-9f75-4093-b1b3-141d6de3202e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwillAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_68a2bc3e-115e-4da3-87b3-fda05ee73e18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwillAbstract_cf7c2ce5-9f75-4093-b1b3-141d6de3202e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetWeightedAveragePeriodBeforeNextRenewalOrExtension_7c9cf989-b241-4e6c-8249-33a3553ec679" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetWeightedAveragePeriodBeforeNextRenewalOrExtension"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwillAbstract_cf7c2ce5-9f75-4093-b1b3-141d6de3202e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetWeightedAveragePeriodBeforeNextRenewalOrExtension_7c9cf989-b241-4e6c-8249-33a3553ec679" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_b034fb36-fc60-43f3-bb7f-ce353e770a0c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwillAbstract_cf7c2ce5-9f75-4093-b1b3-141d6de3202e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_b034fb36-fc60-43f3-bb7f-ce353e770a0c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_2a1a0960-8846-44b9-9bac-aca40caf8472" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwillAbstract_cf7c2ce5-9f75-4093-b1b3-141d6de3202e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_2a1a0960-8846-44b9-9bac-aca40caf8472" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_205edff7-3995-47e5-9eaa-3796189a0fc0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwillAbstract_cf7c2ce5-9f75-4093-b1b3-141d6de3202e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_205edff7-3995-47e5-9eaa-3796189a0fc0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_ccb72652-d69e-42dc-a7ef-81906b54b183" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_68a2bc3e-115e-4da3-87b3-fda05ee73e18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_ccb72652-d69e-42dc-a7ef-81906b54b183" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_8f3e5ddd-b18d-4985-80e3-07226f54311a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_ccb72652-d69e-42dc-a7ef-81906b54b183" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_8f3e5ddd-b18d-4985-80e3-07226f54311a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_8f3e5ddd-b18d-4985-80e3-07226f54311a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_8f3e5ddd-b18d-4985-80e3-07226f54311a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_8f3e5ddd-b18d-4985-80e3-07226f54311a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_4b858b41-d084-4eef-a135-737fc9c29306" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_8f3e5ddd-b18d-4985-80e3-07226f54311a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_4b858b41-d084-4eef-a135-737fc9c29306" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_56f7c721-11f6-47ff-a271-15cc7097d1b9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_4b858b41-d084-4eef-a135-737fc9c29306" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_56f7c721-11f6-47ff-a271-15cc7097d1b9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_8ddc6d0e-5ef9-4f3b-a2bc-778966158dc0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_ccb72652-d69e-42dc-a7ef-81906b54b183" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_8ddc6d0e-5ef9-4f3b-a2bc-778966158dc0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_8ddc6d0e-5ef9-4f3b-a2bc-778966158dc0_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_8ddc6d0e-5ef9-4f3b-a2bc-778966158dc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_8ddc6d0e-5ef9-4f3b-a2bc-778966158dc0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6730a797-5a1d-4e38-a389-53bf97b0859b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_8ddc6d0e-5ef9-4f3b-a2bc-778966158dc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6730a797-5a1d-4e38-a389-53bf97b0859b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_d57be60c-a802-4455-aa2c-595c0f24c65b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6730a797-5a1d-4e38-a389-53bf97b0859b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_d57be60c-a802-4455-aa2c-595c0f24c65b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_7f5a1540-60cd-4e13-9482-ef5799c926d7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6730a797-5a1d-4e38-a389-53bf97b0859b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_7f5a1540-60cd-4e13-9482-ef5799c926d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_8f24d814-5d3b-4a1c-bc54-ec8cec0b4c64" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6730a797-5a1d-4e38-a389-53bf97b0859b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_8f24d814-5d3b-4a1c-bc54-ec8cec0b4c64" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_2da29c8e-3c39-4239-a0de-e4456bb6c6ab" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6730a797-5a1d-4e38-a389-53bf97b0859b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_2da29c8e-3c39-4239-a0de-e4456bb6c6ab" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_842935f2-edca-4b05-8a1f-7083fa5c4541" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6730a797-5a1d-4e38-a389-53bf97b0859b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_842935f2-edca-4b05-8a1f-7083fa5c4541" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsEstimatedAmortizationDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsEstimatedAmortizationDetails2"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsEstimatedAmortizationDetails2" xlink:type="extended" id="i6e077888a9d240229ef0c3120d8712fe_aa0c233e-1239-4c95-a665-342360a2263d"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsdisposedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsdisposedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/GoodwillandOtherIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsdisposedDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="icdf3e77e6ff04c9fad1720ba947e3c4b_7988d49f-d2d4-4d74-be36-263295c05870">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposedLineItems_4e65c4c3-4e16-470b-98e9-af9ad301c79f" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposedLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsSoldAccumulatedAmortization_05548991-acec-4336-904b-20d921215086" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsSoldAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposedLineItems_4e65c4c3-4e16-470b-98e9-af9ad301c79f" xlink:to="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsSoldAccumulatedAmortization_05548991-acec-4336-904b-20d921215086" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsSoldNet_4e0821bb-4013-4e0d-bf68-105dd41c9219" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsSoldNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposedLineItems_4e65c4c3-4e16-470b-98e9-af9ad301c79f" xlink:to="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsSoldNet_4e0821bb-4013-4e0d-bf68-105dd41c9219" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsSoldGross_43c048b8-75b2-4e29-a338-05ffbd391956" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsSoldGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposedLineItems_4e65c4c3-4e16-470b-98e9-af9ad301c79f" xlink:to="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsSoldGross_43c048b8-75b2-4e29-a338-05ffbd391956" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposedTable_99cfe670-d876-4cc2-a29f-10a76fbb1365" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposedTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposedLineItems_4e65c4c3-4e16-470b-98e9-af9ad301c79f" xlink:to="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposedTable_99cfe670-d876-4cc2-a29f-10a76fbb1365" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_32d7feca-236f-44ab-b1cc-26ee2136badc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_whg_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDisposedTable_99cfe670-d876-4cc2-a29f-10a76fbb1365" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_32d7feca-236f-44ab-b1cc-26ee2136badc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_32d7feca-236f-44ab-b1cc-26ee2136badc_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_32d7feca-236f-44ab-b1cc-26ee2136badc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_32d7feca-236f-44ab-b1cc-26ee2136badc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_4d7a6c23-f914-4653-a836-3393e676ffe7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_32d7feca-236f-44ab-b1cc-26ee2136badc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_4d7a6c23-f914-4653-a836-3393e676ffe7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_76180212-b9e8-479e-8456-276155c76b5a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_4d7a6c23-f914-4653-a836-3393e676ffe7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_76180212-b9e8-479e-8456-276155c76b5a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_51f96bee-d8e2-4ca8-a559-4264229b7874" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_4d7a6c23-f914-4653-a836-3393e676ffe7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_51f96bee-d8e2-4ca8-a559-4264229b7874" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_bb3319e8-7fd5-4d47-8ee1-ff01185afc0d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_4d7a6c23-f914-4653-a836-3393e676ffe7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_bb3319e8-7fd5-4d47-8ee1-ff01185afc0d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/BalanceSheetComponents" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#BalanceSheetComponents"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/BalanceSheetComponents" xlink:type="extended" id="i16e02ee7eda34577925d9ae48cc687b3_1ee1ce33-f326-4480-9402-440c1846eec2"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#BalanceSheetComponentsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i09d06fe540604775b990d7426028ddfa_bd3d797a-040c-485c-8687-d57d6671b589"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#BalanceSheetComponentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id73d12ce04ab42c9b7122e9862868cf0_63a7455e-fef7-48fd-9e99-e84a62633c6e">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_1370a54c-a4c0-4d4e-a240-5563d953d697" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstract_62caa80d-e093-465d-8fe5-833f2b40aa0d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_1370a54c-a4c0-4d4e-a240-5563d953d697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstract_62caa80d-e093-465d-8fe5-833f2b40aa0d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_f8742401-4417-4923-85d5-e859b103df63" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstract_62caa80d-e093-465d-8fe5-833f2b40aa0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_f8742401-4417-4923-85d5-e859b103df63" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_61bfd30c-f40e-4a0b-bcb0-d7250c3bb365" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstract_62caa80d-e093-465d-8fe5-833f2b40aa0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_61bfd30c-f40e-4a0b-bcb0-d7250c3bb365" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_167c1451-1b0e-46fe-ac1c-100cdf6c5564" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstract_62caa80d-e093-465d-8fe5-833f2b40aa0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_167c1451-1b0e-46fe-ac1c-100cdf6c5564" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_aa7e4e67-dacf-49ca-ac53-3148fb66b259" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_1370a54c-a4c0-4d4e-a240-5563d953d697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_aa7e4e67-dacf-49ca-ac53-3148fb66b259" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0734eb2b-0d55-45ca-badd-717ec09b0dba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_aa7e4e67-dacf-49ca-ac53-3148fb66b259" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0734eb2b-0d55-45ca-badd-717ec09b0dba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_0734eb2b-0d55-45ca-badd-717ec09b0dba_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0734eb2b-0d55-45ca-badd-717ec09b0dba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_0734eb2b-0d55-45ca-badd-717ec09b0dba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3bc54831-3f09-4307-9f56-a9c40f137da4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0734eb2b-0d55-45ca-badd-717ec09b0dba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3bc54831-3f09-4307-9f56-a9c40f137da4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_258db21b-2bc7-4dea-93ba-6a4e6d9557d6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3bc54831-3f09-4307-9f56-a9c40f137da4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_258db21b-2bc7-4dea-93ba-6a4e6d9557d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_12cf7ce8-f3e5-473a-af7e-23c453459f81" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3bc54831-3f09-4307-9f56-a9c40f137da4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_12cf7ce8-f3e5-473a-af7e-23c453459f81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_ComputerHardwareAndOfficeEquipmentMember_19ae2552-4551-4949-9edd-29c8470f376c" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_ComputerHardwareAndOfficeEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3bc54831-3f09-4307-9f56-a9c40f137da4" xlink:to="loc_whg_ComputerHardwareAndOfficeEquipmentMember_19ae2552-4551-4949-9edd-29c8470f376c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_b9fdb0f5-cb87-45b6-b3f8-138e15e3ff93" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3bc54831-3f09-4307-9f56-a9c40f137da4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_b9fdb0f5-cb87-45b6-b3f8-138e15e3ff93" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#BalanceSheetComponentsDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/BalanceSheetComponentsDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="i9d09f9b2e0284da3af255e14a8a8c41d_5f5ec2c6-a89b-40d5-9031-399208fa7f9c"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#IncomeTaxes"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="extended" id="id4aa5b09099b4eef934d8c71890ecbaf_85ad7439-3b77-4550-8b39-1bcbd1ef62e8"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#IncomeTaxesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i8833af7fced14dc8a963f26613157caa_09603633-8594-426b-a89e-b110fb8b0174"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesbyjurisdictionDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#IncomeTaxesbyjurisdictionDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesbyjurisdictionDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie6e61ae2b3654df7939c4d53a2400e37_127cbf75-4b12-4b26-8481-e78a02d941c9"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetailsTextual" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetailsTextual"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetailsTextual" xlink:type="extended" id="i7eeb07c2f278491598bf2d509742129a_950daf87-a8f9-4b35-a812-ad9e7a7ae1c2">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_a0f6e59c-34f5-4bb3-84df-39e20367977e" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxReformLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_c70423c8-672d-462b-bd38-556206cfacf5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_a0f6e59c-34f5-4bb3-84df-39e20367977e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_c70423c8-672d-462b-bd38-556206cfacf5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate_758d8e74-a3d3-405e-9634-06c242335645" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_a0f6e59c-34f5-4bb3-84df-39e20367977e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate_758d8e74-a3d3-405e-9634-06c242335645" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidTaxes_62d9c39a-cccf-4273-8c6a-6efe2d191e32" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidTaxes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_a0f6e59c-34f5-4bb3-84df-39e20367977e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidTaxes_62d9c39a-cccf-4273-8c6a-6efe2d191e32" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxReformTable_38ce9cb5-62e4-4ad3-a9fe-249b271d5461" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxReformTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_a0f6e59c-34f5-4bb3-84df-39e20367977e" xlink:to="loc_whg_TaxReformTable_38ce9cb5-62e4-4ad3-a9fe-249b271d5461" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxReformAxis_aaef21c1-7700-4ebf-9b12-50f644dd8922" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxReformAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformTable_38ce9cb5-62e4-4ad3-a9fe-249b271d5461" xlink:to="loc_whg_TaxReformAxis_aaef21c1-7700-4ebf-9b12-50f644dd8922" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxReformDomain_aaef21c1-7700-4ebf-9b12-50f644dd8922_default" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxReformDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformAxis_aaef21c1-7700-4ebf-9b12-50f644dd8922" xlink:to="loc_whg_TaxReformDomain_aaef21c1-7700-4ebf-9b12-50f644dd8922_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxReformDomain_95d2d8b4-6521-4d10-8ac8-7a038ed37a85" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxReformDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformAxis_aaef21c1-7700-4ebf-9b12-50f644dd8922" xlink:to="loc_whg_TaxReformDomain_95d2d8b4-6521-4d10-8ac8-7a038ed37a85" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TaxYear2017Member_30ac1bc2-6747-4d2f-9c01-37ad6f3b61c3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxYear2017Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformDomain_95d2d8b4-6521-4d10-8ac8-7a038ed37a85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TaxYear2017Member_30ac1bc2-6747-4d2f-9c01-37ad6f3b61c3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesEffectivetaxratereconciliationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#IncomeTaxesEffectivetaxratereconciliationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesEffectivetaxratereconciliationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iaca5498a49124cc18dbc176ad14f910b_3ce33488-d8a7-4ad2-8e7f-00607e7b7aa6">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_3a723270-4540-42be-89c3-50ee23bae19f" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxReformLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_3a723270-4540-42be-89c3-50ee23bae19f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate_02e33420-9789-44df-a395-27614da4cf24" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate_02e33420-9789-44df-a395-27614da4cf24" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential_68f76dbc-5a7d-4dce-aa77-d4900f93e307" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential_68f76dbc-5a7d-4dce-aa77-d4900f93e307" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingenciesDomestic_f65cbba1-fc17-4cee-a923-ad664599bc1c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingenciesDomestic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingenciesDomestic_f65cbba1-fc17-4cee-a923-ad664599bc1c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes_970d7398-a6b1-4501-b872-78d4ab170cd9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes_970d7398-a6b1-4501-b872-78d4ab170cd9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments_e4c6bf1a-991f-4f30-acf2-7bec1539356e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments_e4c6bf1a-991f-4f30-acf2-7bec1539356e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_ebf18f5f-a467-4b3e-81ea-d6a272d4c98e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_ebf18f5f-a467-4b3e-81ea-d6a272d4c98e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate_21c58b5a-99d6-4cca-8e6f-af9722dc0b50" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate_21c58b5a-99d6-4cca-8e6f-af9722dc0b50" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential_4b25492f-bd1b-44ee-84d1-67c1294f2e85" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential_4b25492f-bd1b-44ee-84d1-67c1294f2e85" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxContingenciesDomestic_3c292826-dbb3-4c72-a039-81f9fa8c5f25" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxContingenciesDomestic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxContingenciesDomestic_3c292826-dbb3-4c72-a039-81f9fa8c5f25" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_GlobalIntangibleLowTaxedIncomeNetDeductions_070f2b2f-c31a-49bb-b29f-c22620aa3730" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_GlobalIntangibleLowTaxedIncomeNetDeductions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_whg_GlobalIntangibleLowTaxedIncomeNetDeductions_070f2b2f-c31a-49bb-b29f-c22620aa3730" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_GlobalIntangibleLowTaxedIncomePercent_79db14e7-4674-4a3d-8be4-405755483118" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_GlobalIntangibleLowTaxedIncomePercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_whg_GlobalIntangibleLowTaxedIncomePercent_79db14e7-4674-4a3d-8be4-405755483118" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes_677e65e6-9d0c-412d-ba82-f47ae0a37795" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes_677e65e6-9d0c-412d-ba82-f47ae0a37795" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCredits_c464fa29-5503-482a-95fa-da86243ea400" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCredits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCredits_c464fa29-5503-482a-95fa-da86243ea400" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCredits_6f482db3-b245-471b-9998-33b68ea9aae1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCredits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCredits_6f482db3-b245-471b-9998-33b68ea9aae1" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate_40147560-0f72-4eed-af63-245f559e13be" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate_40147560-0f72-4eed-af63-245f559e13be" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate_5b047d05-5975-4032-bcef-cdd9883f7367" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate_5b047d05-5975-4032-bcef-cdd9883f7367" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings_6c3de199-89d9-4974-bf60-2f00dd083781" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings_6c3de199-89d9-4974-bf60-2f00dd083781" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings_8ec817e9-0299-4a75-917e-e9e4127db4ec" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings_8ec817e9-0299-4a75-917e-e9e4127db4ec" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments_e6d8807e-ccfa-414b-953a-9077e3035c90" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments_e6d8807e-ccfa-414b-953a-9077e3035c90" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_b3dcad0e-73f3-4f40-9476-fe8de1d32dc2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsIncomeTaxReconciliationAbstract_93e13848-e9f8-47a9-b2e4-2fdd7f1eea89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_b3dcad0e-73f3-4f40-9476-fe8de1d32dc2" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes_f73011a5-ed61-48f3-b8f1-8a61fd0e2dff" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes_e6779d21-ff57-46e2-a330-a9df6493d691" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationStateAndLocalIncomeTaxes"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue_19a707af-191e-4279-a319-bf426936cf37" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_3a723270-4540-42be-89c3-50ee23bae19f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue_19a707af-191e-4279-a319-bf426936cf37" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost_190d71c4-33a1-422c-96e2-d409eecc762c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_3a723270-4540-42be-89c3-50ee23bae19f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost_190d71c4-33a1-422c-96e2-d409eecc762c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost_d1521286-d37a-4f56-b796-38762a1fdd15" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_3a723270-4540-42be-89c3-50ee23bae19f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost_d1521286-d37a-4f56-b796-38762a1fdd15" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingenciesAbstract_40c1a250-073d-4697-a5f0-0f556942b7e3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingenciesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_3a723270-4540-42be-89c3-50ee23bae19f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingenciesAbstract_40c1a250-073d-4697-a5f0-0f556942b7e3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxContingenciesStateAndLocal_e961b0a2-661c-46c6-9c8d-cadbba697974" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxContingenciesStateAndLocal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_3a723270-4540-42be-89c3-50ee23bae19f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxContingenciesStateAndLocal_e961b0a2-661c-46c6-9c8d-cadbba697974" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate_c7afc921-5d05-4511-8c5c-657783f4b1e2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential_b822da19-2582-49f0-8861-d58c43b8b801" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxRateDifferential"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_GlobalIntangibleLowTaxedIncomeNetDeductions_78387c96-6701-4887-b0ca-7cfb8c23b032" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_GlobalIntangibleLowTaxedIncomeNetDeductions"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCredits_8111f9da-052d-437a-bf7c-f00e4258921c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxCredits"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate_28ad47da-8621-465c-8ed6-adba36fb22c0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings_b4c76fdf-bbe7-4ec5-879c-a267956248aa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationRepatriationOfForeignEarnings"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments_8a5a75f6-c333-44bf-9108-1a9eae94d5f7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherAdjustments"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingencies_76160aea-8c48-487a-989b-d6a50a194163" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingencies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_3a723270-4540-42be-89c3-50ee23bae19f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingencies_76160aea-8c48-487a-989b-d6a50a194163" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxReformTable_1ef209b0-9062-4795-aedc-ebd10cb99ebe" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxReformTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformLineItems_3a723270-4540-42be-89c3-50ee23bae19f" xlink:to="loc_whg_TaxReformTable_1ef209b0-9062-4795-aedc-ebd10cb99ebe" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxReformAxis_bf173aa9-f436-4c9e-ac7e-a0fc166ae507" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxReformAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformTable_1ef209b0-9062-4795-aedc-ebd10cb99ebe" xlink:to="loc_whg_TaxReformAxis_bf173aa9-f436-4c9e-ac7e-a0fc166ae507" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxReformDomain_bf173aa9-f436-4c9e-ac7e-a0fc166ae507_default" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxReformDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformAxis_bf173aa9-f436-4c9e-ac7e-a0fc166ae507" xlink:to="loc_whg_TaxReformDomain_bf173aa9-f436-4c9e-ac7e-a0fc166ae507_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TaxReformDomain_3b338f93-c3fc-4441-9431-6cc777a27e72" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TaxReformDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_whg_TaxReformAxis_bf173aa9-f436-4c9e-ac7e-a0fc166ae507" xlink:to="loc_whg_TaxReformDomain_3b338f93-c3fc-4441-9431-6cc777a27e72" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesProvisionComponentsDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#IncomeTaxesProvisionComponentsDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesProvisionComponentsDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="i8a6341668c2d433a82fbb50ba931e7fc_763fbb7c-a02f-44d9-a960-d03f6ee00a34"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesDeferredTaxesDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#IncomeTaxesDeferredTaxesDetails2"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesDeferredTaxesDetails2" xlink:type="extended" id="ib44e231f1ab449fa863b7a721a8caa5f_13afb50e-04f5-4a8c-a9b9-1b721cef66b1"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails3" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetails3"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails3" xlink:type="extended" id="i6412bef9cb82466d892b146c944663cb_a7c8d4a2-08b0-421f-bc2a-5d0d7d2a20f5"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxesUncertainTaxPositionsDetails4" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxesUncertainTaxPositionsDetails4"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxesUncertainTaxPositionsDetails4" xlink:type="extended" id="i269320abbe924732bd9fb951be3d5c09_80b51c7b-610a-4d9c-8c57-708c14bab052"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RegulatoryCapitalRequirements" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#RegulatoryCapitalRequirements"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RegulatoryCapitalRequirements" xlink:type="extended" id="i87feb7f4b64b48c0b5026b16a998163f_2691787a-c3fa-4660-a317-f1139ac476d9"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RegulatoryCapitalRequirementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#RegulatoryCapitalRequirementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RegulatoryCapitalRequirementsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iec33235496b6482c87556e510bf01b8d_3a99a907-a614-44f4-b075-148856c92be0"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RevenueNotes" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#RevenueNotes"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RevenueNotes" xlink:type="extended" id="i76dfaf372f8f4dc8b78ace9187eecacb_a2a4395b-b4d1-4bc7-8be9-defa37248f4a"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RevenuePolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#RevenuePolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RevenuePolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="ie4daaf61cf194b24b274e77b9eae010b_c0286d7f-e10f-42cd-bfe9-b13a10c529a5"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RevenueTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#RevenueTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RevenueTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ie7c1cfe2023d4a19aa51208c5e862a81_d9e1f50a-ad53-4ed7-8c18-47b7699a44ac"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RevenueRevenueDisaggregatedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#RevenueRevenueDisaggregatedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RevenueRevenueDisaggregatedDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0cd102da39ee4a1f8e06061151832a20_8c9afb07-c0a8-461a-956f-591f098a7d38">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_24d92bb5-4274-4c6c-b406-4412cef26218" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_e08f7b3b-25f0-4ccd-8051-d293ee94b4d1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_24d92bb5-4274-4c6c-b406-4412cef26218" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_e08f7b3b-25f0-4ccd-8051-d293ee94b4d1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d7bef6ca-c0df-4e26-a688-012db10b9c17" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_24d92bb5-4274-4c6c-b406-4412cef26218" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d7bef6ca-c0df-4e26-a688-012db10b9c17" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5aa21022-a004-4ebc-b930-416285f0262b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d7bef6ca-c0df-4e26-a688-012db10b9c17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5aa21022-a004-4ebc-b930-416285f0262b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5aa21022-a004-4ebc-b930-416285f0262b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5aa21022-a004-4ebc-b930-416285f0262b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5aa21022-a004-4ebc-b930-416285f0262b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_52120ec2-09aa-4415-9107-d76526b712d6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5aa21022-a004-4ebc-b930-416285f0262b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_52120ec2-09aa-4415-9107-d76526b712d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_AdvisoryMember_19afed40-8842-44ae-93cd-43cfd2b5699a" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_AdvisoryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_52120ec2-09aa-4415-9107-d76526b712d6" xlink:to="loc_whg_AdvisoryMember_19afed40-8842-44ae-93cd-43cfd2b5699a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TrustMember_a5a6f892-5c88-4692-8cb3-502a9725565b" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TrustMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_52120ec2-09aa-4415-9107-d76526b712d6" xlink:to="loc_whg_TrustMember_a5a6f892-5c88-4692-8cb3-502a9725565b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f320acb9-c227-404a-a063-a92c1f09458f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d7bef6ca-c0df-4e26-a688-012db10b9c17" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f320acb9-c227-404a-a063-a92c1f09458f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_f320acb9-c227-404a-a063-a92c1f09458f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f320acb9-c227-404a-a063-a92c1f09458f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_f320acb9-c227-404a-a063-a92c1f09458f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d74df069-d4ac-4216-b35e-9200ef0ef50b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f320acb9-c227-404a-a063-a92c1f09458f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d74df069-d4ac-4216-b35e-9200ef0ef50b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_OtherRevenueMiscServicesMember_305c5383-f472-445f-88a0-20fca930d252" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_OtherRevenueMiscServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d74df069-d4ac-4216-b35e-9200ef0ef50b" xlink:to="loc_whg_OtherRevenueMiscServicesMember_305c5383-f472-445f-88a0-20fca930d252" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_PerformancefeeMember_2f37eeea-9c3f-4cf6-a3e7-180f19e40bdf" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_PerformancefeeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d74df069-d4ac-4216-b35e-9200ef0ef50b" xlink:to="loc_whg_PerformancefeeMember_2f37eeea-9c3f-4cf6-a3e7-180f19e40bdf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TrustFeeMember_08957ed3-d678-4e4b-810f-61cbbf997690" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TrustFeeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d74df069-d4ac-4216-b35e-9200ef0ef50b" xlink:to="loc_whg_TrustFeeMember_08957ed3-d678-4e4b-810f-61cbbf997690" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_InvestmentAdvisoryServicesMember_494935de-a70a-44e1-ad04-ed0a2b241609" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_InvestmentAdvisoryServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d74df069-d4ac-4216-b35e-9200ef0ef50b" xlink:to="loc_whg_InvestmentAdvisoryServicesMember_494935de-a70a-44e1-ad04-ed0a2b241609" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_MutualFundAdvisoryMemberMember_04a6fdba-cdb0-4b33-ab61-31696903d78f" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_MutualFundAdvisoryMemberMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d74df069-d4ac-4216-b35e-9200ef0ef50b" xlink:to="loc_whg_MutualFundAdvisoryMemberMember_04a6fdba-cdb0-4b33-ab61-31696903d78f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_PrivateWealthAdvisoryMember_b9eb2b19-cefa-44dd-94a8-42c0497a18e9" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_PrivateWealthAdvisoryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d74df069-d4ac-4216-b35e-9200ef0ef50b" xlink:to="loc_whg_PrivateWealthAdvisoryMember_b9eb2b19-cefa-44dd-94a8-42c0497a18e9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_563eefc5-40bd-4e85-9d21-36ff241ec5f5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d7bef6ca-c0df-4e26-a688-012db10b9c17" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_563eefc5-40bd-4e85-9d21-36ff241ec5f5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_563eefc5-40bd-4e85-9d21-36ff241ec5f5_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_563eefc5-40bd-4e85-9d21-36ff241ec5f5" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_563eefc5-40bd-4e85-9d21-36ff241ec5f5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_00665cf1-e539-4892-9edd-080f6c103c93" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_563eefc5-40bd-4e85-9d21-36ff241ec5f5" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_00665cf1-e539-4892-9edd-080f6c103c93" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_311cf77e-5a94-4898-bb2f-c4da4cc7a920" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017/country-2017-01-31.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_00665cf1-e539-4892-9edd-080f6c103c93" xlink:to="loc_country_US_311cf77e-5a94-4898-bb2f-c4da4cc7a920" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EuropeMember_5675da4f-b921-4638-9951-605d8fba76a7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_EuropeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_00665cf1-e539-4892-9edd-080f6c103c93" xlink:to="loc_srt_EuropeMember_5675da4f-b921-4638-9951-605d8fba76a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_CA_2ffc4fe1-c3b4-4f6b-a145-c8255e4291f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017/country-2017-01-31.xsd#country_CA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_00665cf1-e539-4892-9edd-080f6c103c93" xlink:to="loc_country_CA_2ffc4fe1-c3b4-4f6b-a145-c8255e4291f8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_AU_1749c148-43ec-4c94-ae84-463e78758c75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017/country-2017-01-31.xsd#country_AU"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_00665cf1-e539-4892-9edd-080f6c103c93" xlink:to="loc_country_AU_1749c148-43ec-4c94-ae84-463e78758c75" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AsiaMember_d762fb3c-8c96-4359-b14d-469c3086c6a9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_AsiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_00665cf1-e539-4892-9edd-080f6c103c93" xlink:to="loc_srt_AsiaMember_d762fb3c-8c96-4359-b14d-469c3086c6a9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_f35604ee-3c53-454d-ba07-813137122519" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d7bef6ca-c0df-4e26-a688-012db10b9c17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_f35604ee-3c53-454d-ba07-813137122519" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_f35604ee-3c53-454d-ba07-813137122519_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_f35604ee-3c53-454d-ba07-813137122519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_f35604ee-3c53-454d-ba07-813137122519_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_242dea39-0f93-482f-9029-19b30dfcdc26" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_f35604ee-3c53-454d-ba07-813137122519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_242dea39-0f93-482f-9029-19b30dfcdc26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationAxis_574fd65c-e0f5-4752-b9cf-befc70698f7a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d7bef6ca-c0df-4e26-a688-012db10b9c17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationAxis_574fd65c-e0f5-4752-b9cf-befc70698f7a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationDomain_574fd65c-e0f5-4752-b9cf-befc70698f7a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationAxis_574fd65c-e0f5-4752-b9cf-befc70698f7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationDomain_574fd65c-e0f5-4752-b9cf-befc70698f7a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationDomain_2886c29c-48d9-4739-a0dd-fc6644677b02" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationAxis_574fd65c-e0f5-4752-b9cf-befc70698f7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationDomain_2886c29c-48d9-4739-a0dd-fc6644677b02" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceAxis_07df4a25-abd4-41dd-bdcc-f2adf1ba6a5c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d7bef6ca-c0df-4e26-a688-012db10b9c17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceAxis_07df4a25-abd4-41dd-bdcc-f2adf1ba6a5c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain_07df4a25-abd4-41dd-bdcc-f2adf1ba6a5c_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceAxis_07df4a25-abd4-41dd-bdcc-f2adf1ba6a5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain_07df4a25-abd4-41dd-bdcc-f2adf1ba6a5c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain_e58c6580-77f6-4241-9721-0bfc8b3713cc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceAxis_07df4a25-abd4-41dd-bdcc-f2adf1ba6a5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain_e58c6580-77f6-4241-9721-0bfc8b3713cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_ef0d1e54-6757-4d3e-854f-7702e4889b52" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d7bef6ca-c0df-4e26-a688-012db10b9c17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_ef0d1e54-6757-4d3e-854f-7702e4889b52" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_ef0d1e54-6757-4d3e-854f-7702e4889b52_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_ef0d1e54-6757-4d3e-854f-7702e4889b52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_ef0d1e54-6757-4d3e-854f-7702e4889b52_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_39ce94e3-59e4-463b-968a-b764bdfa4ff1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_ef0d1e54-6757-4d3e-854f-7702e4889b52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_39ce94e3-59e4-463b-968a-b764bdfa4ff1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_2e3cab80-c875-4030-8303-b351e490efb3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_d7bef6ca-c0df-4e26-a688-012db10b9c17" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_2e3cab80-c875-4030-8303-b351e490efb3" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_2e3cab80-c875-4030-8303-b351e490efb3_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_2e3cab80-c875-4030-8303-b351e490efb3" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_2e3cab80-c875-4030-8303-b351e490efb3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_89460a54-413e-40b1-92b3-c7ce76e72c7c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_2e3cab80-c875-4030-8303-b351e490efb3" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_89460a54-413e-40b1-92b3-c7ce76e72c7c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefits" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EmployeeBenefits"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefits" xlink:type="extended" id="ia63f91848e134cca848cd7e173561db4_9f0382e7-96c2-47ba-9f14-3983168b117d"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EmployeeBenefitsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="id3f4e1635119470faf15ba4b4588b9b3_ed77a83c-2567-4721-a581-14baaf3d9ede">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_be7cc053-53eb-4c08-877c-98934e01cf60" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTextBlock_6c03af8f-e10e-4d8e-a3ef-42fbc3c0b8cf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_be7cc053-53eb-4c08-877c-98934e01cf60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTextBlock_6c03af8f-e10e-4d8e-a3ef-42fbc3c0b8cf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharebasedCompensationRestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsActivityTableTextBlock_221d7367-9e0b-4a19-ab9a-0ecd9e218751" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharebasedCompensationRestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsActivityTableTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_be7cc053-53eb-4c08-877c-98934e01cf60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharebasedCompensationRestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsActivityTableTextBlock_221d7367-9e0b-4a19-ab9a-0ecd9e218751" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedTableTextBlock_b89dcaca-97bf-4dfc-89b5-9cf0d02ca9d6" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedTableTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_be7cc053-53eb-4c08-877c-98934e01cf60" xlink:to="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedTableTextBlock_b89dcaca-97bf-4dfc-89b5-9cf0d02ca9d6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosuresTableTextBlock_ddc12068-54ad-4bc5-8b0f-0650e306d92d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosuresTableTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_be7cc053-53eb-4c08-877c-98934e01cf60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosuresTableTextBlock_ddc12068-54ad-4bc5-8b0f-0650e306d92d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_23ec3adc-2acb-4ad7-b843-8c8f2abb4e5d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_be7cc053-53eb-4c08-877c-98934e01cf60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_23ec3adc-2acb-4ad7-b843-8c8f2abb4e5d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9f46577c-eb59-46c5-8dc5-4b42487dd99e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_23ec3adc-2acb-4ad7-b843-8c8f2abb4e5d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9f46577c-eb59-46c5-8dc5-4b42487dd99e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9f46577c-eb59-46c5-8dc5-4b42487dd99e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9f46577c-eb59-46c5-8dc5-4b42487dd99e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9f46577c-eb59-46c5-8dc5-4b42487dd99e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_468309eb-7ff8-4810-a580-d9371e4f9275" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9f46577c-eb59-46c5-8dc5-4b42487dd99e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_468309eb-7ff8-4810-a580-d9371e4f9275" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_RestrictedStockSubjectOnlyToServiceConditionMember_367956a3-ee48-49c9-a94c-7dd9bb0f620a" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_RestrictedStockSubjectOnlyToServiceConditionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_468309eb-7ff8-4810-a580-d9371e4f9275" xlink:to="loc_whg_RestrictedStockSubjectOnlyToServiceConditionMember_367956a3-ee48-49c9-a94c-7dd9bb0f620a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_RestrictedSharesSubjectToServiceAndPerformanceConditionsMember_3edf4a73-a3f6-4dd8-a5d6-1205c4a430d0" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_RestrictedSharesSubjectToServiceAndPerformanceConditionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_468309eb-7ff8-4810-a580-d9371e4f9275" xlink:to="loc_whg_RestrictedSharesSubjectToServiceAndPerformanceConditionsMember_3edf4a73-a3f6-4dd8-a5d6-1205c4a430d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsDetailsTextual" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EmployeeBenefitsDetailsTextual"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsDetailsTextual" xlink:type="extended" id="i2d6e07b461b64e2a98edbe083152a818_1116240a-23ec-4881-9615-e424c4149154">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_b41b0a39-51bb-4e9e-8351-1e48f0700af8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_b41b0a39-51bb-4e9e-8351-1e48f0700af8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_9db92a5e-0f03-480a-b9d6-d370ab9cc06b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_9db92a5e-0f03-480a-b9d6-d370ab9cc06b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_b7847872-1a45-471f-8c67-2f350b4d6ff1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_b7847872-1a45-471f-8c67-2f350b4d6ff1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_FundPurchasesOfCommonStock_fdffa570-34ee-4a98-ac64-4b610d4ca440" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_FundPurchasesOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_whg_FundPurchasesOfCommonStock_fdffa570-34ee-4a98-ac64-4b610d4ca440" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAvailableForGrant_c8ca2e1d-2323-4fa6-9856-7e73ee148a2c" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAvailableForGrant_c8ca2e1d-2323-4fa6-9856-7e73ee148a2c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_75f79a5c-3101-410a-84e6-86b5654e92d8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_75f79a5c-3101-410a-84e6-86b5654e92d8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesPurchasedForAward_d9c7c761-db39-4451-8b53-deb7ca95a7f1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesPurchasedForAward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesPurchasedForAward_d9c7c761-db39-4451-8b53-deb7ca95a7f1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_a1a3e089-e192-4f11-801e-6dbc08b86a67" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_a1a3e089-e192-4f11-801e-6dbc08b86a67" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_713ff762-5112-4355-9943-13e9f188e0eb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_713ff762-5112-4355-9943-13e9f188e0eb" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_36960324-4198-4607-aa35-fbe8b8233b26" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_36960324-4198-4607-aa35-fbe8b8233b26" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_143f310d-4d9d-4c8d-b42a-0291f8d1d585" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_143f310d-4d9d-4c8d-b42a-0291f8d1d585" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_4fefd847-6b46-480d-a693-198fead295b5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_4fefd847-6b46-480d-a693-198fead295b5" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableCurrent_54f87cf7-49d8-43fe-afee-1d650cf7fecc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPayableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableCurrent_54f87cf7-49d8-43fe-afee-1d650cf7fecc" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_DividendsPayableNonCurrent_ea3e4bf7-373f-469e-a723-870cb9887e0e" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_DividendsPayableNonCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_whg_DividendsPayableNonCurrent_ea3e4bf7-373f-469e-a723-870cb9887e0e" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions_40b12474-e35c-4bd2-9218-0e35b03e30f5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions_40b12474-e35c-4bd2-9218-0e35b03e30f5" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_ad10d551-1624-4b45-b31a-46e7d46cf4b1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_ad10d551-1624-4b45-b31a-46e7d46cf4b1" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_73a05550-d18f-4fbe-8e31-ef73b473ac31" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_73a05550-d18f-4fbe-8e31-ef73b473ac31" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_cf81c61b-df2b-4778-9d2e-cf4595bc6452" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_cf81c61b-df2b-4778-9d2e-cf4595bc6452" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_SharePretaxIncomeGoal_608892b1-e980-4cef-b8c7-8f37a776a9d6" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_SharePretaxIncomeGoal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_whg_SharePretaxIncomeGoal_608892b1-e980-4cef-b8c7-8f37a776a9d6" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_SharePretaxIncomeGoalSlidingScaleAward_cab93de8-44fa-43c5-b5e3-91daa4f12453" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_SharePretaxIncomeGoalSlidingScaleAward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_whg_SharePretaxIncomeGoalSlidingScaleAward_cab93de8-44fa-43c5-b5e3-91daa4f12453" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_PercentageofPretaxincomeGoalEarned_951979a9-413e-4fc4-9053-88a1700f46af" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_PercentageofPretaxincomeGoalEarned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_whg_PercentageofPretaxincomeGoalEarned_951979a9-413e-4fc4-9053-88a1700f46af" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_548fc868-1323-45b9-8662-64e5cf0e0961" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_548fc868-1323-45b9-8662-64e5cf0e0961" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_9a87989a-b90c-4ea5-88bd-4a8fadf3f9f1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_9a87989a-b90c-4ea5-88bd-4a8fadf3f9f1" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationSharebasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrentAndNoncurrent_6fc9201f-7e9e-4d39-8143-e4b1638ce562" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationSharebasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationSharebasedArrangementsLiabilityCurrentAndNoncurrent_6fc9201f-7e9e-4d39-8143-e4b1638ce562" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsIssuedAndOutstandingInPeriodGross_fb8cee8a-78bd-4d29-93e2-555c80dffc00" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsIssuedAndOutstandingInPeriodGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsIssuedAndOutstandingInPeriodGross_fb8cee8a-78bd-4d29-93e2-555c80dffc00" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementWithIndividualRequisiteServicePeriod_f9185381-0ad8-42bd-a610-1948b8bddfe3" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementWithIndividualRequisiteServicePeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementWithIndividualRequisiteServicePeriod_f9185381-0ad8-42bd-a610-1948b8bddfe3" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_0df63b6b-aa21-4735-9f45-1ea7921830fa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_0df63b6b-aa21-4735-9f45-1ea7921830fa" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_e8059552-2826-42e5-9290-d5666260c436" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_e8059552-2826-42e5-9290-d5666260c436" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_MutualFundIncentiveAwardLiability_6ae09838-7329-47f8-84f4-ba4822a7b40b" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_MutualFundIncentiveAwardLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_whg_MutualFundIncentiveAwardLiability_6ae09838-7329-47f8-84f4-ba4822a7b40b" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_DefinedContributionPlanSpecifiedPeriodOfServiceForEmployerProfitSharingContributionsToBeFullyVested_37379c60-02cd-4e9f-8a9d-8bc4a3bc81fb" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_DefinedContributionPlanSpecifiedPeriodOfServiceForEmployerProfitSharingContributionsToBeFullyVested"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_whg_DefinedContributionPlanSpecifiedPeriodOfServiceForEmployerProfitSharingContributionsToBeFullyVested_37379c60-02cd-4e9f-8a9d-8bc4a3bc81fb" xlink:type="arc" order="29"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent_eee8a354-4801-48db-8831-8376f2f0cb63" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent_eee8a354-4801-48db-8831-8376f2f0cb63" xlink:type="arc" order="30"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense_3e9619ed-ae93-4c04-8dbc-90197ff1c3c9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense_3e9619ed-ae93-4c04-8dbc-90197ff1c3c9" xlink:type="arc" order="31"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_9e410a5a-2646-46ef-bf64-e6024535260a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_64f099fc-e6e0-447b-a4d1-bb123db114dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_9e410a5a-2646-46ef-bf64-e6024535260a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f49d960d-8372-4708-9ae7-784143b2ad5b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_9e410a5a-2646-46ef-bf64-e6024535260a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f49d960d-8372-4708-9ae7-784143b2ad5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_f49d960d-8372-4708-9ae7-784143b2ad5b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f49d960d-8372-4708-9ae7-784143b2ad5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_f49d960d-8372-4708-9ae7-784143b2ad5b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_9db91ac0-abce-470b-afe8-12a1d137cd37" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f49d960d-8372-4708-9ae7-784143b2ad5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_9db91ac0-abce-470b-afe8-12a1d137cd37" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_BenefitPlansMember_959046de-1b08-4b47-b906-4072f2d258a5" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_BenefitPlansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_9db91ac0-abce-470b-afe8-12a1d137cd37" xlink:to="loc_whg_BenefitPlansMember_959046de-1b08-4b47-b906-4072f2d258a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_98e99460-df2e-49d8-b267-b4db96baddef" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_9e410a5a-2646-46ef-bf64-e6024535260a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_98e99460-df2e-49d8-b267-b4db96baddef" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_98e99460-df2e-49d8-b267-b4db96baddef_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_98e99460-df2e-49d8-b267-b4db96baddef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_98e99460-df2e-49d8-b267-b4db96baddef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_74cd3a3a-4027-4004-bda5-af05beedbc97" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis_98e99460-df2e-49d8-b267-b4db96baddef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_74cd3a3a-4027-4004-bda5-af05beedbc97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MutualFundMember_625bb5ea-a063-4ec2-b6cb-7bd53b6eaadb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MutualFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanAssetCategoriesDomain_74cd3a3a-4027-4004-bda5-af05beedbc97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MutualFundMember_625bb5ea-a063-4ec2-b6cb-7bd53b6eaadb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_a5ff0bef-d759-4713-949f-dfc4cd0c8df2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_9e410a5a-2646-46ef-bf64-e6024535260a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_a5ff0bef-d759-4713-949f-dfc4cd0c8df2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_a5ff0bef-d759-4713-949f-dfc4cd0c8df2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_a5ff0bef-d759-4713-949f-dfc4cd0c8df2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_a5ff0bef-d759-4713-949f-dfc4cd0c8df2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_a27fc323-97f1-49b2-b167-29ff7fec6f1c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_a5ff0bef-d759-4713-949f-dfc4cd0c8df2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_a27fc323-97f1-49b2-b167-29ff7fec6f1c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_UCITSFundMember_d73d5104-1707-4e90-af2d-0d9264d7e03b" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_UCITSFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_a27fc323-97f1-49b2-b167-29ff7fec6f1c" xlink:to="loc_whg_UCITSFundMember_d73d5104-1707-4e90-af2d-0d9264d7e03b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1d7c89e3-af0c-49e5-a7bf-6ce4aa945c44" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_9e410a5a-2646-46ef-bf64-e6024535260a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1d7c89e3-af0c-49e5-a7bf-6ce4aa945c44" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_1d7c89e3-af0c-49e5-a7bf-6ce4aa945c44_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1d7c89e3-af0c-49e5-a7bf-6ce4aa945c44" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_1d7c89e3-af0c-49e5-a7bf-6ce4aa945c44_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_6442ec11-5163-4ac0-abd3-5991091b9a20" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1d7c89e3-af0c-49e5-a7bf-6ce4aa945c44" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_6442ec11-5163-4ac0-abd3-5991091b9a20" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_2f5339a4-70c6-4092-81b5-bb36a75da243" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_6442ec11-5163-4ac0-abd3-5991091b9a20" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_2f5339a4-70c6-4092-81b5-bb36a75da243" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_88bf17d4-7679-4e10-95a8-735a397d3080" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_6442ec11-5163-4ac0-abd3-5991091b9a20" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_88bf17d4-7679-4e10-95a8-735a397d3080" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b57d84f9-05f4-44d7-bf43-8729a6a0ab6b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_9e410a5a-2646-46ef-bf64-e6024535260a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b57d84f9-05f4-44d7-bf43-8729a6a0ab6b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b57d84f9-05f4-44d7-bf43-8729a6a0ab6b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b57d84f9-05f4-44d7-bf43-8729a6a0ab6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b57d84f9-05f4-44d7-bf43-8729a6a0ab6b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4229c3cd-06f1-4e76-8be5-310b8b03e76b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b57d84f9-05f4-44d7-bf43-8729a6a0ab6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4229c3cd-06f1-4e76-8be5-310b8b03e76b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_1942e576-e5f1-4c87-8be4-08ecc690e3de" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4229c3cd-06f1-4e76-8be5-310b8b03e76b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_1942e576-e5f1-4c87-8be4-08ecc690e3de" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_CanadianPlanMember_d41c6bba-53cc-403e-897a-9fb5de6f5506" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_CanadianPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4229c3cd-06f1-4e76-8be5-310b8b03e76b" xlink:to="loc_whg_CanadianPlanMember_d41c6bba-53cc-403e-897a-9fb5de6f5506" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_0d036119-c9dc-4f61-8a66-61cb516851da" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4229c3cd-06f1-4e76-8be5-310b8b03e76b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_0d036119-c9dc-4f61-8a66-61cb516851da" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_PerformanceBasedRestrictedSharesForFuturePerformanceYearsMember_aa10cc87-3fcf-4fe4-a08a-910d0d894341" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_PerformanceBasedRestrictedSharesForFuturePerformanceYearsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4229c3cd-06f1-4e76-8be5-310b8b03e76b" xlink:to="loc_whg_PerformanceBasedRestrictedSharesForFuturePerformanceYearsMember_aa10cc87-3fcf-4fe4-a08a-910d0d894341" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember_6e75ec4c-85a1-4052-8491-fbe64f7fdda3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4229c3cd-06f1-4e76-8be5-310b8b03e76b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember_6e75ec4c-85a1-4052-8491-fbe64f7fdda3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_bf1e2da8-c04c-4a3b-a2a4-8d91807d0ee9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_9e410a5a-2646-46ef-bf64-e6024535260a" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_bf1e2da8-c04c-4a3b-a2a4-8d91807d0ee9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_bf1e2da8-c04c-4a3b-a2a4-8d91807d0ee9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_bf1e2da8-c04c-4a3b-a2a4-8d91807d0ee9" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_bf1e2da8-c04c-4a3b-a2a4-8d91807d0ee9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f00fdd7a-2969-4e2f-ba1d-4bbf19e415df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_bf1e2da8-c04c-4a3b-a2a4-8d91807d0ee9" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f00fdd7a-2969-4e2f-ba1d-4bbf19e415df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_WestwoodInternationalAdvisorsIncMember_cd3d972c-a33e-4492-af28-c8c90658e7a5" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_WestwoodInternationalAdvisorsIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_f00fdd7a-2969-4e2f-ba1d-4bbf19e415df" xlink:to="loc_whg_WestwoodInternationalAdvisorsIncMember_cd3d972c-a33e-4492-af28-c8c90658e7a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_9a067d46-2237-4291-b75e-7bf64f6f4c43" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_9e410a5a-2646-46ef-bf64-e6024535260a" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_9a067d46-2237-4291-b75e-7bf64f6f4c43" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_9a067d46-2237-4291-b75e-7bf64f6f4c43_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_9a067d46-2237-4291-b75e-7bf64f6f4c43" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_9a067d46-2237-4291-b75e-7bf64f6f4c43_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_8de86f54-ca54-4af7-b6c4-ec606a3f4217" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis_9a067d46-2237-4291-b75e-7bf64f6f4c43" xlink:to="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_8de86f54-ca54-4af7-b6c4-ec606a3f4217" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_EmployeeMember_c2e36efd-0940-4954-b08f-10aee75f2019" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_EmployeeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_8de86f54-ca54-4af7-b6c4-ec606a3f4217" xlink:to="loc_whg_EmployeeMember_c2e36efd-0940-4954-b08f-10aee75f2019" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_DirectorMember_2839c9e9-be39-4b9b-9e28-cc7180ada017" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_DirectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_8de86f54-ca54-4af7-b6c4-ec606a3f4217" xlink:to="loc_srt_DirectorMember_2839c9e9-be39-4b9b-9e28-cc7180ada017" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_2342ee3f-702e-4c51-a244-c9767213e18b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_9e410a5a-2646-46ef-bf64-e6024535260a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_2342ee3f-702e-4c51-a244-c9767213e18b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_2342ee3f-702e-4c51-a244-c9767213e18b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_2342ee3f-702e-4c51-a244-c9767213e18b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_2342ee3f-702e-4c51-a244-c9767213e18b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_c066989d-9c70-49d7-91f9-14e313d12330" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_2342ee3f-702e-4c51-a244-c9767213e18b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_c066989d-9c70-49d7-91f9-14e313d12330" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember_e4b2a31b-d30e-4ac1-8c61-dbc58efe9c91" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityBasedArrangementsIndividualContractsTypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_c066989d-9c70-49d7-91f9-14e313d12330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember_e4b2a31b-d30e-4ac1-8c61-dbc58efe9c91" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_37733825-2e70-48e2-bed3-35093672fc16" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_9e410a5a-2646-46ef-bf64-e6024535260a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_37733825-2e70-48e2-bed3-35093672fc16" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_37733825-2e70-48e2-bed3-35093672fc16_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_37733825-2e70-48e2-bed3-35093672fc16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_37733825-2e70-48e2-bed3-35093672fc16_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_eb90cee0-53c9-4e8c-a00e-ea8f6c62ee6f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_37733825-2e70-48e2-bed3-35093672fc16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_eb90cee0-53c9-4e8c-a00e-ea8f6c62ee6f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_da862b32-bef5-4020-a022-b6cd450c0ccf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_eb90cee0-53c9-4e8c-a00e-ea8f6c62ee6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_da862b32-bef5-4020-a022-b6cd450c0ccf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_546a1f53-cf1d-40bb-9584-88ff6cb51569" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_eb90cee0-53c9-4e8c-a00e-ea8f6c62ee6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_546a1f53-cf1d-40bb-9584-88ff6cb51569" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_83c863f6-e3f8-4763-8402-5845e8cb21db" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_eb90cee0-53c9-4e8c-a00e-ea8f6c62ee6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_83c863f6-e3f8-4763-8402-5845e8cb21db" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheFourMember_d67830a1-6a4c-47d0-855f-4d7fbfc6c57d" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheFourMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_eb90cee0-53c9-4e8c-a00e-ea8f6c62ee6f" xlink:to="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheFourMember_d67830a1-6a4c-47d0-855f-4d7fbfc6c57d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsStockCompExpenseSummarytableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EmployeeBenefitsStockCompExpenseSummarytableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsStockCompExpenseSummarytableDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="icd292d492c774d8f8035fd619d894de2_5e0ef75a-0818-4d78-8872-34f8765b552a">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c3348264-c682-4702-8cf6-3b2227b49840" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_ab8943ee-3ef1-4a58-b457-dbf666cf3b47" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c3348264-c682-4702-8cf6-3b2227b49840" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_ab8943ee-3ef1-4a58-b457-dbf666cf3b47" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_5da9cff7-48e1-463e-aedd-3fa30e645e1e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c3348264-c682-4702-8cf6-3b2227b49840" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_5da9cff7-48e1-463e-aedd-3fa30e645e1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_d5896592-1cf9-4464-9b51-b03f1e15bae0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c3348264-c682-4702-8cf6-3b2227b49840" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_d5896592-1cf9-4464-9b51-b03f1e15bae0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bfe96434-1fd5-4ea5-a805-26ccbb55c31b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c3348264-c682-4702-8cf6-3b2227b49840" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bfe96434-1fd5-4ea5-a805-26ccbb55c31b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f3095375-6b4c-4b8f-a893-73530a8df93b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bfe96434-1fd5-4ea5-a805-26ccbb55c31b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f3095375-6b4c-4b8f-a893-73530a8df93b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f3095375-6b4c-4b8f-a893-73530a8df93b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f3095375-6b4c-4b8f-a893-73530a8df93b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f3095375-6b4c-4b8f-a893-73530a8df93b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b92b1b8f-eca1-4a03-af46-58a141451b9e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f3095375-6b4c-4b8f-a893-73530a8df93b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b92b1b8f-eca1-4a03-af46-58a141451b9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_ecc79769-8d43-4df9-9f5e-1165e2fe8dff" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b92b1b8f-eca1-4a03-af46-58a141451b9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_ecc79769-8d43-4df9-9f5e-1165e2fe8dff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_15eef3dc-badd-4e6c-ba3b-993f6646f714" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_bfe96434-1fd5-4ea5-a805-26ccbb55c31b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_15eef3dc-badd-4e6c-ba3b-993f6646f714" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_15eef3dc-badd-4e6c-ba3b-993f6646f714_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_15eef3dc-badd-4e6c-ba3b-993f6646f714" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_15eef3dc-badd-4e6c-ba3b-993f6646f714_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_441c2f9b-ef99-430b-8968-e56863d25da1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_15eef3dc-badd-4e6c-ba3b-993f6646f714" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_441c2f9b-ef99-430b-8968-e56863d25da1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_StockBasedCompensationExpenseSubjectToServiceConditionMember_b9778df7-7745-418a-985e-018c823dbc52" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_StockBasedCompensationExpenseSubjectToServiceConditionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_441c2f9b-ef99-430b-8968-e56863d25da1" xlink:to="loc_whg_StockBasedCompensationExpenseSubjectToServiceConditionMember_b9778df7-7745-418a-985e-018c823dbc52" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_StockBasedCompensationExpenseSubjectToPerformanceConditionMember_11a0d567-1e30-428a-a0d9-f64fd7e0a227" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_StockBasedCompensationExpenseSubjectToPerformanceConditionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_441c2f9b-ef99-430b-8968-e56863d25da1" xlink:to="loc_whg_StockBasedCompensationExpenseSubjectToPerformanceConditionMember_11a0d567-1e30-428a-a0d9-f64fd7e0a227" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_StockBasedCompensationExpenseMember_1c1a873a-86c2-4bb8-8b1e-3daa29618b48" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_StockBasedCompensationExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_441c2f9b-ef99-430b-8968-e56863d25da1" xlink:to="loc_whg_StockBasedCompensationExpenseMember_1c1a873a-86c2-4bb8-8b1e-3daa29618b48" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_CanadianPlanRestrictedStockExpenseMember_3927f8a9-c13f-4f74-bfa8-bd254aaff4fa" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_CanadianPlanRestrictedStockExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_441c2f9b-ef99-430b-8968-e56863d25da1" xlink:to="loc_whg_CanadianPlanRestrictedStockExpenseMember_3927f8a9-c13f-4f74-bfa8-bd254aaff4fa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EmployeeBenefitsDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="id83ad0566da34a33ab48c63af6004c1e_a4a66d63-a1c1-49d3-9086-79dd7b9d2382">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_511d26a3-2e28-4f33-9991-69dce8f5f7f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_47eac4b7-433d-4762-8049-739de57287b4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_511d26a3-2e28-4f33-9991-69dce8f5f7f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_47eac4b7-433d-4762-8049-739de57287b4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_7ce2ae68-c43b-4a29-9f44-9ef43ac0fbed" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_47eac4b7-433d-4762-8049-739de57287b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_7ce2ae68-c43b-4a29-9f44-9ef43ac0fbed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_c9502ce0-f5be-42f5-a83d-0a0525636058" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_47eac4b7-433d-4762-8049-739de57287b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_c9502ce0-f5be-42f5-a83d-0a0525636058" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_6e5da072-6e7c-4d17-8dc0-18d714a521c5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_47eac4b7-433d-4762-8049-739de57287b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_6e5da072-6e7c-4d17-8dc0-18d714a521c5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_822ee104-6b66-42e9-8b24-307c265ff87e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_47eac4b7-433d-4762-8049-739de57287b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_822ee104-6b66-42e9-8b24-307c265ff87e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_44071df7-a619-4945-9f05-55845bf89598" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_23e84b7d-9ce3-45e2-ac0d-511640d76a44" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_47eac4b7-433d-4762-8049-739de57287b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_23e84b7d-9ce3-45e2-ac0d-511640d76a44" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_6128a4de-44b8-48ed-ade9-cfdd4dc7ebc0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_47eac4b7-433d-4762-8049-739de57287b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_6128a4de-44b8-48ed-ade9-cfdd4dc7ebc0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_813bfd2b-07f5-4dc7-8114-823f162a28ae" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_47eac4b7-433d-4762-8049-739de57287b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_813bfd2b-07f5-4dc7-8114-823f162a28ae" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2bf09131-ac34-4c71-a2ca-483fe56507b7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_47eac4b7-433d-4762-8049-739de57287b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2bf09131-ac34-4c71-a2ca-483fe56507b7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_b254006e-4962-48ad-8169-121331cfccbc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0cc2246d-2180-43a1-938a-b004a4c3798c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_511d26a3-2e28-4f33-9991-69dce8f5f7f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0cc2246d-2180-43a1-938a-b004a4c3798c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_05ffd93f-72e6-4aa1-bc4d-5ac639b1010d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0cc2246d-2180-43a1-938a-b004a4c3798c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_05ffd93f-72e6-4aa1-bc4d-5ac639b1010d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_05ffd93f-72e6-4aa1-bc4d-5ac639b1010d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_05ffd93f-72e6-4aa1-bc4d-5ac639b1010d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_05ffd93f-72e6-4aa1-bc4d-5ac639b1010d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_19855254-9a8a-43d3-ad9b-92f78b412184" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_05ffd93f-72e6-4aa1-bc4d-5ac639b1010d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_19855254-9a8a-43d3-ad9b-92f78b412184" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_d233ff48-f495-4b1f-a3da-172deb3971b4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_19855254-9a8a-43d3-ad9b-92f78b412184" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_d233ff48-f495-4b1f-a3da-172deb3971b4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsServiceGrantsandVestsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EmployeeBenefitsServiceGrantsandVestsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsServiceGrantsandVestsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic756026e5ac14ae1a8a84faf70c0dadd_ae5c6b2b-b9ff-4df1-b886-957ddac4f9c7">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1900ea17-79b9-42f8-8457-ec825ec03d8d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedAbstract_989fb367-a37b-44fd-8efb-85f168c02e51" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1900ea17-79b9-42f8-8457-ec825ec03d8d" xlink:to="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedAbstract_989fb367-a37b-44fd-8efb-85f168c02e51" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_b1b8cf99-a7f0-41ff-b798-e2d93bda14fe" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedAbstract_989fb367-a37b-44fd-8efb-85f168c02e51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_b1b8cf99-a7f0-41ff-b798-e2d93bda14fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_4598a19a-850e-4f59-98b7-6180af35b1b3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedAbstract_989fb367-a37b-44fd-8efb-85f168c02e51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_4598a19a-850e-4f59-98b7-6180af35b1b3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_54a1804d-92ae-4159-9601-e5a4ffc8247f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1900ea17-79b9-42f8-8457-ec825ec03d8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_54a1804d-92ae-4159-9601-e5a4ffc8247f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d0961a31-be5d-46cf-8259-c882de35143b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_54a1804d-92ae-4159-9601-e5a4ffc8247f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d0961a31-be5d-46cf-8259-c882de35143b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d0961a31-be5d-46cf-8259-c882de35143b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d0961a31-be5d-46cf-8259-c882de35143b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d0961a31-be5d-46cf-8259-c882de35143b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f8944d18-a8ae-47bb-93f1-9f5d25977edc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d0961a31-be5d-46cf-8259-c882de35143b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f8944d18-a8ae-47bb-93f1-9f5d25977edc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_RestrictedSharesSubjectToServiceConditionMember_1157b34f-2b57-4b2a-81ab-33c0f24c118d" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_RestrictedSharesSubjectToServiceConditionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f8944d18-a8ae-47bb-93f1-9f5d25977edc" xlink:to="loc_whg_RestrictedSharesSubjectToServiceConditionMember_1157b34f-2b57-4b2a-81ab-33c0f24c118d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsPerformanceGrantsandVestsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EmployeeBenefitsPerformanceGrantsandVestsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsPerformanceGrantsandVestsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib66876857955432b8e9953ade6c7c456_a8b572a9-88a1-4cb5-ab0b-d6195dfdeef4">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_43f0fd95-f3bb-4c2e-b7ee-4552ca78e01b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_c8d984f3-09f4-4521-8d7c-d3b1d2db6435" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_43f0fd95-f3bb-4c2e-b7ee-4552ca78e01b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_c8d984f3-09f4-4521-8d7c-d3b1d2db6435" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_0908e168-63d4-4f0b-80e7-a0c089743785" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_43f0fd95-f3bb-4c2e-b7ee-4552ca78e01b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_0908e168-63d4-4f0b-80e7-a0c089743785" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedAbstract_19c4b252-2b2e-48b6-aeab-ad62c594a055" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_43f0fd95-f3bb-4c2e-b7ee-4552ca78e01b" xlink:to="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedAbstract_19c4b252-2b2e-48b6-aeab-ad62c594a055" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_84351ad7-060b-452c-91c0-e81cfcabd8cb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedAbstract_19c4b252-2b2e-48b6-aeab-ad62c594a055" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_84351ad7-060b-452c-91c0-e81cfcabd8cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_7264340d-b1f5-4c7a-87c8-c000012688d0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whg_ShareBasedCompensationAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAndFairValueOfSharesVestedAbstract_19c4b252-2b2e-48b6-aeab-ad62c594a055" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_7264340d-b1f5-4c7a-87c8-c000012688d0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_4118c9b9-4b66-43af-b74e-ee36b24a8f41" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_43f0fd95-f3bb-4c2e-b7ee-4552ca78e01b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_4118c9b9-4b66-43af-b74e-ee36b24a8f41" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_940a4984-57ea-4e64-a5ac-e7e8961005ef" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_43f0fd95-f3bb-4c2e-b7ee-4552ca78e01b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_940a4984-57ea-4e64-a5ac-e7e8961005ef" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_42242322-2d54-4e1a-9837-2aac0aa0fc45" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_43f0fd95-f3bb-4c2e-b7ee-4552ca78e01b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_42242322-2d54-4e1a-9837-2aac0aa0fc45" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_c2e501c4-3d40-474c-9477-4d8d7a4f8484" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_43f0fd95-f3bb-4c2e-b7ee-4552ca78e01b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_c2e501c4-3d40-474c-9477-4d8d7a4f8484" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1c75dc6a-85f4-40db-87a3-05560b485eed" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_43f0fd95-f3bb-4c2e-b7ee-4552ca78e01b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1c75dc6a-85f4-40db-87a3-05560b485eed" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_36f7fb44-463c-4e40-bcde-72dc38550230" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_43f0fd95-f3bb-4c2e-b7ee-4552ca78e01b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_36f7fb44-463c-4e40-bcde-72dc38550230" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_fd278a30-044f-42d3-8ef1-0577809bab14" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_36f7fb44-463c-4e40-bcde-72dc38550230" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_fd278a30-044f-42d3-8ef1-0577809bab14" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_fd278a30-044f-42d3-8ef1-0577809bab14_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_fd278a30-044f-42d3-8ef1-0577809bab14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_fd278a30-044f-42d3-8ef1-0577809bab14_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1685ef63-4bec-440b-bd31-282321b0e64f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_fd278a30-044f-42d3-8ef1-0577809bab14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1685ef63-4bec-440b-bd31-282321b0e64f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_RestrictedSharesSubjectToServiceAndPerformanceConditionsMember_12f4536b-8073-45a9-964a-613ed45f1d15" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_RestrictedSharesSubjectToServiceAndPerformanceConditionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1685ef63-4bec-440b-bd31-282321b0e64f" xlink:to="loc_whg_RestrictedSharesSubjectToServiceAndPerformanceConditionsMember_12f4536b-8073-45a9-964a-613ed45f1d15" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsProfitSharingand401kDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EmployeeBenefitsProfitSharingand401kDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsProfitSharingand401kDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4a55837fa3434f70970de6bba8d28b43_1c4fecdd-84f5-4753-92b0-bebc11e57896"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EarningsPerShare"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="extended" id="i1104b5bfc6404991b0992658bc3ba74c_2046419f-643d-4952-afc2-9e47043a520c"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EarningsPerShareTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ibb48b33fc49241158f5392eb51acf17f_752f7284-9cc8-40dd-84d4-d380494e7682"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EarningsPerShareAntidilutiveSharesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EarningsPerShareAntidilutiveSharesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EarningsPerShareAntidilutiveSharesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i8b5688cdfd204147bf70f3ebe8961455_eb35ac95-ba31-4e5f-8a0f-787087904930">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_ed63c25a-cea5-4b1f-b9ab-c44cd319671f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_7fb9e94f-98e1-4ea1-b82a-06f717d35582" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_ed63c25a-cea5-4b1f-b9ab-c44cd319671f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_7fb9e94f-98e1-4ea1-b82a-06f717d35582" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_9406d4e6-0d09-41ee-9eed-afc81e2d9693" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_ed63c25a-cea5-4b1f-b9ab-c44cd319671f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_9406d4e6-0d09-41ee-9eed-afc81e2d9693" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_37069bdc-00a9-41a4-a051-35dc370086bf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_9406d4e6-0d09-41ee-9eed-afc81e2d9693" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_37069bdc-00a9-41a4-a051-35dc370086bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_37069bdc-00a9-41a4-a051-35dc370086bf_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_37069bdc-00a9-41a4-a051-35dc370086bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_37069bdc-00a9-41a4-a051-35dc370086bf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_b25a2aaf-056f-4ebe-acce-b5e28d2d2d49" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_37069bdc-00a9-41a4-a051-35dc370086bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_b25a2aaf-056f-4ebe-acce-b5e28d2d2d49" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_b1b6b01d-99a3-414f-9598-c2280a0a476b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_b25a2aaf-056f-4ebe-acce-b5e28d2d2d49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_b1b6b01d-99a3-414f-9598-c2280a0a476b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EarningsPerShareComputatonofBasicandDilutedEPSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EarningsPerShareComputatonofBasicandDilutedEPSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EarningsPerShareComputatonofBasicandDilutedEPSDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ief627b35be354977afcf6b36d72d6cbc_90e58869-9831-4e55-8ca8-3f2a883cb3d4"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EarningsPerSharePolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#EarningsPerSharePolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/EarningsPerSharePolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="icea7fa6e9bd8425cb913484daafd3214_6c86400b-1c5a-4f5c-a705-cb208ad64e75"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/VariableInterestEntities" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#VariableInterestEntities"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/VariableInterestEntities" xlink:type="extended" id="i3bae765b0bbe476780424407de60757a_05bfd6ca-c3f3-45cc-87c1-ed26805341ff"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#VariableInterestEntitiesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ib349d918b5b84047a7a207009240ed0d_2fee03c1-fc4d-44f5-9aff-3bd7db095f47"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesDetailsTextual" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#VariableInterestEntitiesDetailsTextual"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesDetailsTextual" xlink:type="extended" id="i5c30367173ee474ba7ce66b4c39a4b9a_f006b977-1776-49e5-b627-7f43f6159044">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_4072349b-723e-4b41-9601-842f546de969" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_14573212-6abd-44b4-815a-7e9f2671baa1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_4072349b-723e-4b41-9601-842f546de969" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_14573212-6abd-44b4-815a-7e9f2671baa1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityActivityBetweenVIEAndEntityRevenues_f65d9a3e-edb0-4d9c-b3e7-297aef4faa0d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityActivityBetweenVIEAndEntityRevenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_4072349b-723e-4b41-9601-842f546de969" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityActivityBetweenVIEAndEntityRevenues_f65d9a3e-edb0-4d9c-b3e7-297aef4faa0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_0c467cbf-3efd-4837-8036-2f6eff29b924" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_4072349b-723e-4b41-9601-842f546de969" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_0c467cbf-3efd-4837-8036-2f6eff29b924" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_68559f55-702a-4cfc-96e8-4f2538d25267" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_0c467cbf-3efd-4837-8036-2f6eff29b924" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_68559f55-702a-4cfc-96e8-4f2538d25267" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_68559f55-702a-4cfc-96e8-4f2538d25267_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_68559f55-702a-4cfc-96e8-4f2538d25267" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_68559f55-702a-4cfc-96e8-4f2538d25267_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7bf96b77-1056-4cfc-a735-758f5a249b0d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_68559f55-702a-4cfc-96e8-4f2538d25267" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7bf96b77-1056-4cfc-a735-758f5a249b0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_VariableInterestEntityMember_3d26e4e8-cdc1-4387-8e91-452b09e23e2e" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_VariableInterestEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7bf96b77-1056-4cfc-a735-758f5a249b0d" xlink:to="loc_whg_VariableInterestEntityMember_3d26e4e8-cdc1-4387-8e91-452b09e23e2e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_CommonTrustFundsMember_17d295e6-72c4-4a99-93b2-be1a57f0b9a9" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_CommonTrustFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7bf96b77-1056-4cfc-a735-758f5a249b0d" xlink:to="loc_whg_CommonTrustFundsMember_17d295e6-72c4-4a99-93b2-be1a57f0b9a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember_02fd3ddd-567c-4779-9aee-b22dba1bc922" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7bf96b77-1056-4cfc-a735-758f5a249b0d" xlink:to="loc_whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember_02fd3ddd-567c-4779-9aee-b22dba1bc922" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_UCITSFundMember_94a6f703-6e8d-41ae-8b4a-cace4b5849f7" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_UCITSFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7bf96b77-1056-4cfc-a735-758f5a249b0d" xlink:to="loc_whg_UCITSFundMember_94a6f703-6e8d-41ae-8b4a-cace4b5849f7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#VariableInterestEntitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i02e45640977f4787a1c1a9b32f290f8e_f207abb7-f8b7-45f0-a3b2-dfec02456d74">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_542e16ef-0fd7-4d83-85ae-0dc83dbea56e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract_b31b395e-cbd6-47c1-9812-7aac13c4dd1b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_542e16ef-0fd7-4d83-85ae-0dc83dbea56e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract_b31b395e-cbd6-47c1-9812-7aac13c4dd1b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsUnderManagementCarryingAmount_58d412d4-01e0-4456-89e6-0a20e4dab9ca" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsUnderManagementCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract_b31b395e-cbd6-47c1-9812-7aac13c4dd1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsUnderManagementCarryingAmount_58d412d4-01e0-4456-89e6-0a20e4dab9ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_b77f5dfc-3ef4-44a6-9f90-9eff887e2119" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract_b31b395e-cbd6-47c1-9812-7aac13c4dd1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_b77f5dfc-3ef4-44a6-9f90-9eff887e2119" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_RiskOfLoss_a1839727-5e30-4958-a1ca-c1dc56540213" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_RiskOfLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract_b31b395e-cbd6-47c1-9812-7aac13c4dd1b" xlink:to="loc_whg_RiskOfLoss_a1839727-5e30-4958-a1ca-c1dc56540213" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_f57c4cd1-07d9-4ca1-be07-0c571e06ec68" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_542e16ef-0fd7-4d83-85ae-0dc83dbea56e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_f57c4cd1-07d9-4ca1-be07-0c571e06ec68" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_960fe310-433e-4407-aa8e-5e7ae24f713d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_f57c4cd1-07d9-4ca1-be07-0c571e06ec68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_960fe310-433e-4407-aa8e-5e7ae24f713d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_960fe310-433e-4407-aa8e-5e7ae24f713d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_960fe310-433e-4407-aa8e-5e7ae24f713d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_960fe310-433e-4407-aa8e-5e7ae24f713d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7094f4eb-4d1b-4a36-b468-dd364183d8b7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_960fe310-433e-4407-aa8e-5e7ae24f713d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7094f4eb-4d1b-4a36-b468-dd364183d8b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_WestwoodFundsMember_feb4a255-23a8-42e9-83ae-e92dd084e34c" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_WestwoodFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7094f4eb-4d1b-4a36-b468-dd364183d8b7" xlink:to="loc_whg_WestwoodFundsMember_feb4a255-23a8-42e9-83ae-e92dd084e34c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_CommonTrustFundsMember_d7bdc05a-813b-418c-b9e9-d500be8409a4" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_CommonTrustFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7094f4eb-4d1b-4a36-b468-dd364183d8b7" xlink:to="loc_whg_CommonTrustFundsMember_d7bdc05a-813b-418c-b9e9-d500be8409a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyMember_01595f9a-79d1-4715-a475-3be4e9b47341" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7094f4eb-4d1b-4a36-b468-dd364183d8b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyMember_01595f9a-79d1-4715-a475-3be4e9b47341" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember_4d38b85d-b7e0-418e-aa56-56522ef43ef3" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7094f4eb-4d1b-4a36-b468-dd364183d8b7" xlink:to="loc_whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember_4d38b85d-b7e0-418e-aa56-56522ef43ef3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_WestwoodHospitalityFundILLCMember_2ec1038f-2d11-4afa-a58e-86c2b10c8793" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_WestwoodHospitalityFundILLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7094f4eb-4d1b-4a36-b468-dd364183d8b7" xlink:to="loc_whg_WestwoodHospitalityFundILLCMember_2ec1038f-2d11-4afa-a58e-86c2b10c8793" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_PrivateEquityInvestmentsMember_66cbf673-3237-427e-bdae-768e5a7c4448" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_PrivateEquityInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7094f4eb-4d1b-4a36-b468-dd364183d8b7" xlink:to="loc_whg_PrivateEquityInvestmentsMember_66cbf673-3237-427e-bdae-768e5a7c4448" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_PrivateWealthMember_725f19cd-f984-4f92-aa29-d108c399463d" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_PrivateWealthMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7094f4eb-4d1b-4a36-b468-dd364183d8b7" xlink:to="loc_whg_PrivateWealthMember_725f19cd-f984-4f92-aa29-d108c399463d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_InstitutionalMember_be933fe2-88a8-41b7-a262-b2c552e5c127" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_InstitutionalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_7094f4eb-4d1b-4a36-b468-dd364183d8b7" xlink:to="loc_whg_InstitutionalMember_be933fe2-88a8-41b7-a262-b2c552e5c127" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactions"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions" xlink:type="extended" id="ie12f075fa14d4c0abec1f22f8ccef7c8_d77fcc43-347f-40d8-9d98-95181c001305"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetailsTextual" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsDetailsTextual"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetailsTextual" xlink:type="extended" id="i61ee2489071548aaa03167dde79e89c6_f0d76d21-2a32-4591-862c-e8ea17224496">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_1c8654c0-3b2d-4439-948a-3793a01bfae1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DueFromRelatedParties_97ebaee5-e3fc-47e9-b6fa-2b0cfb8cf1d9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DueFromRelatedParties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_1c8654c0-3b2d-4439-948a-3793a01bfae1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DueFromRelatedParties_97ebaee5-e3fc-47e9-b6fa-2b0cfb8cf1d9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties_29d125b6-7865-4b46-a40e-e7a1d53f2d9b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_1c8654c0-3b2d-4439-948a-3793a01bfae1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties_29d125b6-7865-4b46-a40e-e7a1d53f2d9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableRelatedPartiesCurrent_43088263-db98-4501-8e0f-af58131c30dd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableRelatedPartiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_1c8654c0-3b2d-4439-948a-3793a01bfae1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableRelatedPartiesCurrent_43088263-db98-4501-8e0f-af58131c30dd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionPurchasesFromRelatedParty_0fe360ef-5ebe-47a2-9b1a-94b4028ef120" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionPurchasesFromRelatedParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_1c8654c0-3b2d-4439-948a-3793a01bfae1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionPurchasesFromRelatedParty_0fe360ef-5ebe-47a2-9b1a-94b4028ef120" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubleaseIncome_1f55e02f-ad2b-4a27-a756-b31dfe46dac7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubleaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_1c8654c0-3b2d-4439-948a-3793a01bfae1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubleaseIncome_1f55e02f-ad2b-4a27-a756-b31dfe46dac7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_d5dc2fb6-b46d-4cd1-9590-98b5dba12b21" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_1c8654c0-3b2d-4439-948a-3793a01bfae1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_d5dc2fb6-b46d-4cd1-9590-98b5dba12b21" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_ea313773-4006-4805-b9ad-2386a02cf75e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_d5dc2fb6-b46d-4cd1-9590-98b5dba12b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_ea313773-4006-4805-b9ad-2386a02cf75e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_ea313773-4006-4805-b9ad-2386a02cf75e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_ea313773-4006-4805-b9ad-2386a02cf75e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_ea313773-4006-4805-b9ad-2386a02cf75e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8c4d257a-c003-4983-8b51-182341f861f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_ea313773-4006-4805-b9ad-2386a02cf75e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8c4d257a-c003-4983-8b51-182341f861f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember_0b75da25-56c5-4169-9029-f7882e45186d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8c4d257a-c003-4983-8b51-182341f861f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TrustForBenefitOfEmployeesMember_0b75da25-56c5-4169-9029-f7882e45186d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ServiceOtherMember_105f7e2f-eda2-435f-99e7-06455a5e35ee" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ServiceOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8c4d257a-c003-4983-8b51-182341f861f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ServiceOtherMember_105f7e2f-eda2-435f-99e7-06455a5e35ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_56a3c5cb-2e7b-413d-a364-3a65a5d9a76e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_d5dc2fb6-b46d-4cd1-9590-98b5dba12b21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_56a3c5cb-2e7b-413d-a364-3a65a5d9a76e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_56a3c5cb-2e7b-413d-a364-3a65a5d9a76e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_56a3c5cb-2e7b-413d-a364-3a65a5d9a76e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_56a3c5cb-2e7b-413d-a364-3a65a5d9a76e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_a17663e0-f2bd-4289-986a-70ba2363de08" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_56a3c5cb-2e7b-413d-a364-3a65a5d9a76e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_a17663e0-f2bd-4289-986a-70ba2363de08" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember_41e4bff1-b85c-49fc-a80e-b56d9d9562b0" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_a17663e0-f2bd-4289-986a-70ba2363de08" xlink:to="loc_whg_UndertakingForCollectiveInvestmentInTransferableSecuritiesMember_41e4bff1-b85c-49fc-a80e-b56d9d9562b0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_PrivateEquityInvestmentsMember_2b8d90c8-d378-4345-95f6-448af162902b" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_PrivateEquityInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_a17663e0-f2bd-4289-986a-70ba2363de08" xlink:to="loc_whg_PrivateEquityInvestmentsMember_2b8d90c8-d378-4345-95f6-448af162902b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#CommitmentsandContingencies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies" xlink:type="extended" id="i5f30eb5a4aef421ab7f5be6dbfbabc7e_8a732803-f742-47de-b1fa-0d35422048a8"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i3d8444979c5046188415ad80b6e84e66_35070dbf-4281-4021-8b27-1d79122d1257"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetailsTextual" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesDetailsTextual"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetailsTextual" xlink:type="extended" id="idc83120ff8a14296b68878bfc9fe647a_7de925bb-f770-4df1-aec2-8abc910a8896">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense_1b8f25a4-9616-47a9-9222-6d559b8ac48d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense_1b8f25a4-9616-47a9-9222-6d559b8ac48d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyLawsuitFilingDate_d32e67d2-7a3d-4e8d-9193-aa13e8de860c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyLawsuitFilingDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyLawsuitFilingDate_d32e67d2-7a3d-4e8d-9193-aa13e8de860c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue_cb99316e-95b2-4043-9223-5c8e748bb8b8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue_cb99316e-95b2-4043-9223-5c8e748bb8b8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty_50dce73b-2320-4618-9d8f-f2a0ebfb71fb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty_50dce73b-2320-4618-9d8f-f2a0ebfb71fb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement_993cc2fc-65a6-4da9-a985-a03a9120b60c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement_993cc2fc-65a6-4da9-a985-a03a9120b60c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense_e98da196-e1c5-4a77-bcfc-2d9f523b4ea2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense_e98da196-e1c5-4a77-bcfc-2d9f523b4ea2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_PercentageOfDefenseCostsCoveredByInsurance_b33276f9-6b5d-4ac5-a373-1f562a5e12be" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_PercentageOfDefenseCostsCoveredByInsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:to="loc_whg_PercentageOfDefenseCostsCoveredByInsurance_b33276f9-6b5d-4ac5-a373-1f562a5e12be" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementOperatingActivities_cb9645e6-e86c-4a53-828d-005dc275beb1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementOperatingActivities_cb9645e6-e86c-4a53-828d-005dc275beb1" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivableCurrent_437a50b9-09af-40a5-90d6-2e93996630c9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivableCurrent_437a50b9-09af-40a5-90d6-2e93996630c9" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationReserveCurrent_8cd5a311-1c31-4676-bafd-ac6558f7c2eb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationReserveCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationReserveCurrent_8cd5a311-1c31-4676-bafd-ac6558f7c2eb" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_5ec50f2b-0854-46bf-8319-83742ec024b2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_ca308ba6-c003-497e-a8e2-f990a1db1116" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_5ec50f2b-0854-46bf-8319-83742ec024b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_dde770ab-ad0e-484c-bbbe-4fd563c014ea" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_5ec50f2b-0854-46bf-8319-83742ec024b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_dde770ab-ad0e-484c-bbbe-4fd563c014ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_dde770ab-ad0e-484c-bbbe-4fd563c014ea_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_dde770ab-ad0e-484c-bbbe-4fd563c014ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_dde770ab-ad0e-484c-bbbe-4fd563c014ea_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_97d999f6-1ea7-4de6-83fb-a215b2507906" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_dde770ab-ad0e-484c-bbbe-4fd563c014ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_97d999f6-1ea7-4de6-83fb-a215b2507906" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_GeneralDamageMember_18f0a29b-d08b-415c-9208-fd1118bb57a8" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_GeneralDamageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_97d999f6-1ea7-4de6-83fb-a215b2507906" xlink:to="loc_whg_GeneralDamageMember_18f0a29b-d08b-415c-9208-fd1118bb57a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_SpecialDamageMember_6174418f-96a6-46a7-a749-8052f16f65df" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_SpecialDamageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_97d999f6-1ea7-4de6-83fb-a215b2507906" xlink:to="loc_whg_SpecialDamageMember_6174418f-96a6-46a7-a749-8052f16f65df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_PunitiveDamageMember_10e8c8d3-45d1-4a12-9af0-1d40a05d7dce" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_PunitiveDamageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_97d999f6-1ea7-4de6-83fb-a215b2507906" xlink:to="loc_whg_PunitiveDamageMember_10e8c8d3-45d1-4a12-9af0-1d40a05d7dce" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementMember_c253fd27-24b7-4013-86b8-a201fa69b660" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_97d999f6-1ea7-4de6-83fb-a215b2507906" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementMember_c253fd27-24b7-4013-86b8-a201fa69b660" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_a6cd9ce5-2802-41eb-919c-9497209128e0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_5ec50f2b-0854-46bf-8319-83742ec024b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_a6cd9ce5-2802-41eb-919c-9497209128e0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_a6cd9ce5-2802-41eb-919c-9497209128e0_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_a6cd9ce5-2802-41eb-919c-9497209128e0" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_a6cd9ce5-2802-41eb-919c-9497209128e0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9bfb56c4-5e52-424a-87ef-1d7c63f02562" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_a6cd9ce5-2802-41eb-919c-9497209128e0" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9bfb56c4-5e52-424a-87ef-1d7c63f02562" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_FirstLawsuitByAGFMember_35a175fe-6499-433f-9fd9-f2d3b84c738b" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_FirstLawsuitByAGFMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9bfb56c4-5e52-424a-87ef-1d7c63f02562" xlink:to="loc_whg_FirstLawsuitByAGFMember_35a175fe-6499-433f-9fd9-f2d3b84c738b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_SecondLawsuitByAGFMember_7d1faa5f-d9b8-4c97-a60e-aaa089cc8055" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_SecondLawsuitByAGFMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9bfb56c4-5e52-424a-87ef-1d7c63f02562" xlink:to="loc_whg_SecondLawsuitByAGFMember_7d1faa5f-d9b8-4c97-a60e-aaa089cc8055" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4e048f559fb24546996a95d130092b24_dc30ee24-560a-4a75-bffa-8d760521a0df"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReporting" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SegmentReporting"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReporting" xlink:type="extended" id="if76fa2695c104f98a1fceaf7676ac8b8_5857e5e5-278c-4841-a3d2-680f1ae87a01"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReportingTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SegmentReportingTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReportingTables" xlink:type="extended" id="if9b511eb03744572ab1b0cac110ac1a9_b74db484-360f-4671-8846-6abfd402efa0"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReportingDetailsTextual" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SegmentReportingDetailsTextual"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReportingDetailsTextual" xlink:type="extended" id="i73ce9e7e7fbc43d8a702f6e805480899_268bd8dc-db23-42cf-8e48-953a347cd05d"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SegmentReportingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i32f17f4d212b43d89bb164122d4b86bf_bcbdda96-8172-44f8-88f1-25aa4c1f8df4">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_RevenueFromExternalSources_946ae9c8-ac9c-4081-bd87-5b9c4ace4922" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_RevenueFromExternalSources"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_whg_RevenueFromExternalSources_946ae9c8-ac9c-4081-bd87-5b9c4ace4922" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_NetIntersegmentRevenues_85defe2c-bcf0-48ba-98e6-33ec0b547733" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_NetIntersegmentRevenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_whg_NetIntersegmentRevenues_85defe2c-bcf0-48ba-98e6-33ec0b547733" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeNet_bde96a7b-320f-4c42-8569-c8d3b3e546ce" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeNet_bde96a7b-320f-4c42-8569-c8d3b3e546ce" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_Otherrevenue_e23eb631-78e0-4c5a-ae99-92d6dc8727c0" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_Otherrevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_whg_Otherrevenue_e23eb631-78e0-4c5a-ae99-92d6dc8727c0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_daea560a-fcd1-4d77-bb0e-b293292784f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_daea560a-fcd1-4d77-bb0e-b293292784f6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_2bfd9114-7e1a-42b6-a5bc-bc5e00b2dee0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_2bfd9114-7e1a-42b6-a5bc-bc5e00b2dee0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_8736185e-bb31-428a-80da-a50d07602d40" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_2bfd9114-7e1a-42b6-a5bc-bc5e00b2dee0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_8736185e-bb31-428a-80da-a50d07602d40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_864a4e04-8a4e-4e38-ac28-e2d2d36e9c7b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_2bfd9114-7e1a-42b6-a5bc-bc5e00b2dee0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_864a4e04-8a4e-4e38-ac28-e2d2d36e9c7b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_bcf0829c-3a11-4bfb-8679-d838f9c0a707" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_2bfd9114-7e1a-42b6-a5bc-bc5e00b2dee0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_bcf0829c-3a11-4bfb-8679-d838f9c0a707" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal_ff4cea1c-63e4-47b0-8749-21194a43837c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal_ff4cea1c-63e4-47b0-8749-21194a43837c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_9f93cf27-9466-42b3-90f2-35699780f5e8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_9f93cf27-9466-42b3-90f2-35699780f5e8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_14ce9b25-ea28-4e28-b611-6c528b847c27" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_14ce9b25-ea28-4e28-b611-6c528b847c27" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_f50e0318-b228-42c6-bc9f-11d2539235a9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_f50e0318-b228-42c6-bc9f-11d2539235a9" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_f5852989-1525-40b5-b542-1adc53865473" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_f5852989-1525-40b5-b542-1adc53865473" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_5ac95d42-f7c6-4408-abec-6b754e91c9e0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_5ac95d42-f7c6-4408-abec-6b754e91c9e0" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredOtherTaxExpenseBenefit_6c211f65-faf7-48fb-9643-400fa53a0bfd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredOtherTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredOtherTaxExpenseBenefit_6c211f65-faf7-48fb-9643-400fa53a0bfd" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_EconomicEarningsLosses_e7e8a4fb-6c75-4a8a-99bf-4dbccdacafb1" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_EconomicEarningsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_whg_EconomicEarningsLosses_e7e8a4fb-6c75-4a8a-99bf-4dbccdacafb1" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_9a7fdfe2-c092-4e56-8746-9073d1f80362" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_9a7fdfe2-c092-4e56-8746-9073d1f80362" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_c3cb5e9c-699a-4d1c-b1cb-591d1d2f5459" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_c3cb5e9c-699a-4d1c-b1cb-591d1d2f5459" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_f24d984b-a2a6-43d8-8194-1a44d25699e1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_f24d984b-a2a6-43d8-8194-1a44d25699e1" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments_5d5369fb-5611-4425-9353-067500a50aa0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments_5d5369fb-5611-4425-9353-067500a50aa0" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnSecurities_e17dffcc-6f8f-4f4e-9e95-dd0e715166f4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnSecurities_e17dffcc-6f8f-4f4e-9e95-dd0e715166f4" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense_1306c246-787a-459d-9d5b-d0a6ca1ec7c5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense_1306c246-787a-459d-9d5b-d0a6ca1ec7c5" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome_dc96e72e-69f4-479d-8872-21a58300448a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome_dc96e72e-69f4-479d-8872-21a58300448a" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_15238253-1147-46ad-8bac-d3fba677f513" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_73b5e8ef-4bcc-4a8e-96a2-ba8864d1c09d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_15238253-1147-46ad-8bac-d3fba677f513" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1f76f204-1c9f-42dc-85f4-2367ff9b7bfd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_15238253-1147-46ad-8bac-d3fba677f513" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1f76f204-1c9f-42dc-85f4-2367ff9b7bfd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_1f76f204-1c9f-42dc-85f4-2367ff9b7bfd_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1f76f204-1c9f-42dc-85f4-2367ff9b7bfd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_1f76f204-1c9f-42dc-85f4-2367ff9b7bfd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_609c1af4-3b48-4aff-8ce1-1134c4fab6f9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_1f76f204-1c9f-42dc-85f4-2367ff9b7bfd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_609c1af4-3b48-4aff-8ce1-1134c4fab6f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_35cadfe3-f053-474a-b2ff-18e3adfe2304" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_609c1af4-3b48-4aff-8ce1-1134c4fab6f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_35cadfe3-f053-474a-b2ff-18e3adfe2304" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5f074ca6-be0b-471e-ad4d-fe29775fab4d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_15238253-1147-46ad-8bac-d3fba677f513" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5f074ca6-be0b-471e-ad4d-fe29775fab4d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5f074ca6-be0b-471e-ad4d-fe29775fab4d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5f074ca6-be0b-471e-ad4d-fe29775fab4d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_5f074ca6-be0b-471e-ad4d-fe29775fab4d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3d3ebd03-9fbf-47ef-b9b9-caae14d6ea48" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_5f074ca6-be0b-471e-ad4d-fe29775fab4d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3d3ebd03-9fbf-47ef-b9b9-caae14d6ea48" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_18c4c7fa-4552-4298-9037-1a0bb56f4cb0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3d3ebd03-9fbf-47ef-b9b9-caae14d6ea48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_18c4c7fa-4552-4298-9037-1a0bb56f4cb0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_6b8736be-5fb4-4b68-b3c2-9d4a38b3f879" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3d3ebd03-9fbf-47ef-b9b9-caae14d6ea48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_6b8736be-5fb4-4b68-b3c2-9d4a38b3f879" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_af57c233-2e12-4c11-8881-3b3a35a6713b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3d3ebd03-9fbf-47ef-b9b9-caae14d6ea48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_af57c233-2e12-4c11-8881-3b3a35a6713b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d5abd54f-36c5-407a-9001-0d991f7c57d3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_15238253-1147-46ad-8bac-d3fba677f513" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d5abd54f-36c5-407a-9001-0d991f7c57d3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d5abd54f-36c5-407a-9001-0d991f7c57d3_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d5abd54f-36c5-407a-9001-0d991f7c57d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d5abd54f-36c5-407a-9001-0d991f7c57d3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_50ea2e53-d643-432d-8481-15eccbc6e2bd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d5abd54f-36c5-407a-9001-0d991f7c57d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_50ea2e53-d643-432d-8481-15eccbc6e2bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_AdvisoryMember_6709a7c8-4f40-4aba-aac4-0dda4c3eb292" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_AdvisoryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_50ea2e53-d643-432d-8481-15eccbc6e2bd" xlink:to="loc_whg_AdvisoryMember_6709a7c8-4f40-4aba-aac4-0dda4c3eb292" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_TrustMember_038bbfa4-0ddb-4818-be8b-e8a9375e1314" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_TrustMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_50ea2e53-d643-432d-8481-15eccbc6e2bd" xlink:to="loc_whg_TrustMember_038bbfa4-0ddb-4818-be8b-e8a9375e1314" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_353a3333-9c99-4472-a60d-98526d0f19fe" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_15238253-1147-46ad-8bac-d3fba677f513" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_353a3333-9c99-4472-a60d-98526d0f19fe" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_353a3333-9c99-4472-a60d-98526d0f19fe_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_353a3333-9c99-4472-a60d-98526d0f19fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_353a3333-9c99-4472-a60d-98526d0f19fe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_4872eeb4-cb67-44f2-a85a-24b88dcb19b6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_353a3333-9c99-4472-a60d-98526d0f19fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_4872eeb4-cb67-44f2-a85a-24b88dcb19b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_745f6a5b-c40b-4686-a73c-eaf41a4a493e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_4872eeb4-cb67-44f2-a85a-24b88dcb19b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_745f6a5b-c40b-4686-a73c-eaf41a4a493e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReportingReconciliationofNetIncometoEconomicEarningsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SegmentReportingReconciliationofNetIncometoEconomicEarningsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReportingReconciliationofNetIncometoEconomicEarningsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i817b09866108469d860a92e116ca1a0a_328f1751-aa6e-4cd1-a1e6-eac7ff27a15a"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReportingPropertyandEquipmentNetbyGeographicAreaDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SegmentReportingPropertyandEquipmentNetbyGeographicAreaDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SegmentReportingPropertyandEquipmentNetbyGeographicAreaDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if9102dfd045f4b9999f9ccc813f48c3b_0d20650f-ea39-4e4c-9ff3-d34bf01226fb">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d8504b76-0db9-497c-925c-32d368433a7a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_dfaad53f-5443-40e5-b166-1648ea4e5f04" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d8504b76-0db9-497c-925c-32d368433a7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_dfaad53f-5443-40e5-b166-1648ea4e5f04" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_d48d036e-a7a6-47c9-8422-b109899ce796" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d8504b76-0db9-497c-925c-32d368433a7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_d48d036e-a7a6-47c9-8422-b109899ce796" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_6d6916e1-6fa7-4168-b7ac-66e24b22d01b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_d48d036e-a7a6-47c9-8422-b109899ce796" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_6d6916e1-6fa7-4168-b7ac-66e24b22d01b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_6d6916e1-6fa7-4168-b7ac-66e24b22d01b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_6d6916e1-6fa7-4168-b7ac-66e24b22d01b" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_6d6916e1-6fa7-4168-b7ac-66e24b22d01b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_af53ec27-d914-4328-a93b-c6404af65397" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_6d6916e1-6fa7-4168-b7ac-66e24b22d01b" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_af53ec27-d914-4328-a93b-c6404af65397" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_af17ce44-4aae-4702-b70c-34ddd1e3b161" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017/country-2017-01-31.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_af53ec27-d914-4328-a93b-c6404af65397" xlink:to="loc_country_US_af17ce44-4aae-4702-b70c-34ddd1e3b161" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_CA_f95de3cf-b6c0-4d52-bcef-82d0e2bcdd10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017/country-2017-01-31.xsd#country_CA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_af53ec27-d914-4328-a93b-c6404af65397" xlink:to="loc_country_CA_f95de3cf-b6c0-4d52-bcef-82d0e2bcdd10" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/Concentration" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#Concentration"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/Concentration" xlink:type="extended" id="ic130f694f3094a438e02bc2df916a9c3_5ad11280-753f-49ab-8fc6-78562dc4b141"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/ConcentrationTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#ConcentrationTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/ConcentrationTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i324cba8f47a14c1b94bb0dbd079d09b0_c17f56b1-4cb1-4aec-9348-94741378a424"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/ConcentrationDetailsTextual" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#ConcentrationDetailsTextual"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/ConcentrationDetailsTextual" xlink:type="extended" id="i1a0a036e4eef46d48d483b10c1a615ec_2dcfc073-1184-4dcb-a9a0-89b58bdca72a">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_2c61e6f4-1c77-49ce-beac-b8669a59d9ef" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_NumberOfMajorCustomers_7d00b61a-5cdd-4c31-bc20-087a63f8ca10" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_NumberOfMajorCustomers"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_2c61e6f4-1c77-49ce-beac-b8669a59d9ef" xlink:to="loc_whg_NumberOfMajorCustomers_7d00b61a-5cdd-4c31-bc20-087a63f8ca10" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_60d50df6-cac9-4186-8515-8a50979dadde" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_2c61e6f4-1c77-49ce-beac-b8669a59d9ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_60d50df6-cac9-4186-8515-8a50979dadde" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_32328523-5444-4f89-b12d-ac0b58a498ea" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_2c61e6f4-1c77-49ce-beac-b8669a59d9ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_32328523-5444-4f89-b12d-ac0b58a498ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_d43fb517-e083-4d64-955b-b2ff4fce7091" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_32328523-5444-4f89-b12d-ac0b58a498ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_d43fb517-e083-4d64-955b-b2ff4fce7091" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_d43fb517-e083-4d64-955b-b2ff4fce7091_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_d43fb517-e083-4d64-955b-b2ff4fce7091" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_d43fb517-e083-4d64-955b-b2ff4fce7091_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_dc762fd7-1c53-4c45-8ee9-a5e72845ae02" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_d43fb517-e083-4d64-955b-b2ff4fce7091" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_dc762fd7-1c53-4c45-8ee9-a5e72845ae02" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetMember_f70c33a7-3a52-46e4-a953-f8c0993d77e4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_dc762fd7-1c53-4c45-8ee9-a5e72845ae02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetMember_f70c33a7-3a52-46e4-a953-f8c0993d77e4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_6e735791-7e73-4eb2-a62c-1c810cceb090" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_32328523-5444-4f89-b12d-ac0b58a498ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_6e735791-7e73-4eb2-a62c-1c810cceb090" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_6e735791-7e73-4eb2-a62c-1c810cceb090_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_6e735791-7e73-4eb2-a62c-1c810cceb090" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_6e735791-7e73-4eb2-a62c-1c810cceb090_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_57f0cc40-9bf8-4b08-ab20-afcd93cc84f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_6e735791-7e73-4eb2-a62c-1c810cceb090" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_57f0cc40-9bf8-4b08-ab20-afcd93cc84f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember_fdabdef9-ebb6-42dc-8882-411262f6192f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_57f0cc40-9bf8-4b08-ab20-afcd93cc84f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember_fdabdef9-ebb6-42dc-8882-411262f6192f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_16b626ae-360b-4277-a6eb-2c10af837c92" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_57f0cc40-9bf8-4b08-ab20-afcd93cc84f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_16b626ae-360b-4277-a6eb-2c10af837c92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAppropriatedMember_0cc88845-62b4-4bf5-87bd-a89a544ba41f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAppropriatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_57f0cc40-9bf8-4b08-ab20-afcd93cc84f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAppropriatedMember_0cc88845-62b4-4bf5-87bd-a89a544ba41f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/ConcentrationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#ConcentrationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/ConcentrationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7fd2248cc6814d148343059bd8c9e398_6ce27d3e-9b65-4c42-b5ec-2386b61dcee9">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_278f4594-f26b-4888-bcdf-717c3ab4658a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_fdbfec81-fef0-430c-8649-583f225ea8cf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_278f4594-f26b-4888-bcdf-717c3ab4658a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_fdbfec81-fef0-430c-8649-583f225ea8cf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_248bf8c9-430d-4211-b0c1-cd77bc58b439" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_278f4594-f26b-4888-bcdf-717c3ab4658a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_248bf8c9-430d-4211-b0c1-cd77bc58b439" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_ab86bcac-ba20-454f-87cb-ff85fe885cfc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_278f4594-f26b-4888-bcdf-717c3ab4658a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_ab86bcac-ba20-454f-87cb-ff85fe885cfc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c7367693-901e-454a-9a57-ce9aed0630fb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_ab86bcac-ba20-454f-87cb-ff85fe885cfc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c7367693-901e-454a-9a57-ce9aed0630fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_c7367693-901e-454a-9a57-ce9aed0630fb_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c7367693-901e-454a-9a57-ce9aed0630fb" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_c7367693-901e-454a-9a57-ce9aed0630fb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_85994c79-15ed-496f-a4d7-07dedb966cf4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c7367693-901e-454a-9a57-ce9aed0630fb" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_85994c79-15ed-496f-a4d7-07dedb966cf4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_cd1ceb41-a974-427f-8c4e-8997f209c5f1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_85994c79-15ed-496f-a4d7-07dedb966cf4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetManagement1Member_cd1ceb41-a974-427f-8c4e-8997f209c5f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentPerformanceMember_e8780a20-e202-4997-876c-b8941ca8315e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentPerformanceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_85994c79-15ed-496f-a4d7-07dedb966cf4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentPerformanceMember_e8780a20-e202-4997-876c-b8941ca8315e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5f2c2bcb-6f37-402f-ba42-340298e06ae0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_ab86bcac-ba20-454f-87cb-ff85fe885cfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5f2c2bcb-6f37-402f-ba42-340298e06ae0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5f2c2bcb-6f37-402f-ba42-340298e06ae0_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5f2c2bcb-6f37-402f-ba42-340298e06ae0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5f2c2bcb-6f37-402f-ba42-340298e06ae0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_eecf937c-1021-4078-ae57-e710a1ad3f48" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_5f2c2bcb-6f37-402f-ba42-340298e06ae0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_eecf937c-1021-4078-ae57-e710a1ad3f48" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whg_WestwoodManagementMember_de95a800-eb44-4b56-b905-b1e19424299f" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#whg_WestwoodManagementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_eecf937c-1021-4078-ae57-e710a1ad3f48" xlink:to="loc_whg_WestwoodManagementMember_de95a800-eb44-4b56-b905-b1e19424299f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_e38557fe-4317-4dfe-ad69-e380e7d51209" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_ab86bcac-ba20-454f-87cb-ff85fe885cfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_e38557fe-4317-4dfe-ad69-e380e7d51209" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_e38557fe-4317-4dfe-ad69-e380e7d51209_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_e38557fe-4317-4dfe-ad69-e380e7d51209" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_e38557fe-4317-4dfe-ad69-e380e7d51209_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_50de0625-f22e-4fe7-be64-57959c6da7a8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_e38557fe-4317-4dfe-ad69-e380e7d51209" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_50de0625-f22e-4fe7-be64-57959c6da7a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetMember_a71c7abf-06fd-463e-a6e9-176c179e539c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_50de0625-f22e-4fe7-be64-57959c6da7a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetMember_a71c7abf-06fd-463e-a6e9-176c179e539c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_c34229f1-426c-4e66-899f-730d0d871685" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_ab86bcac-ba20-454f-87cb-ff85fe885cfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_c34229f1-426c-4e66-899f-730d0d871685" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_c34229f1-426c-4e66-899f-730d0d871685_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_c34229f1-426c-4e66-899f-730d0d871685" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_c34229f1-426c-4e66-899f-730d0d871685_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_b995a532-889d-4129-a152-c72ed587bc27" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_c34229f1-426c-4e66-899f-730d0d871685" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_b995a532-889d-4129-a152-c72ed587bc27" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember_57297214-e012-4dec-9e99-88ca7f0695ae" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_b995a532-889d-4129-a152-c72ed587bc27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember_57297214-e012-4dec-9e99-88ca7f0695ae" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SubsequentEvents"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="extended" id="i98914b6e76ac4a97a27351c9ce537c19_846b752a-fff9-44c4-8e8a-5a41070d43dc"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SubsequentEventDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SubsequentEventDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SubsequentEventDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia3de0396a398473491b7d351fa266990_b3cbeb21-bfe2-4613-81cf-5632aa1fc062">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_02d360ff-0651-447e-8039-8ee2bb8a3f0d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_70327009-582c-46bb-9d2e-49526e31af2a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_02d360ff-0651-447e-8039-8ee2bb8a3f0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_70327009-582c-46bb-9d2e-49526e31af2a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross_407c3462-b5c3-4e97-bd0d-a131afc15e46" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_02d360ff-0651-447e-8039-8ee2bb8a3f0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross_407c3462-b5c3-4e97-bd0d-a131afc15e46" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross_d11965f9-f232-48b0-b268-d004f735ee9b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_02d360ff-0651-447e-8039-8ee2bb8a3f0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross_d11965f9-f232-48b0-b268-d004f735ee9b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased_9cd7436e-5c28-4b12-a86a-83564dff3283" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_02d360ff-0651-447e-8039-8ee2bb8a3f0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased_9cd7436e-5c28-4b12-a86a-83564dff3283" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_036ac839-eaad-4300-865e-18eaf1e15fe2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_02d360ff-0651-447e-8039-8ee2bb8a3f0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_036ac839-eaad-4300-865e-18eaf1e15fe2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_665be488-a29c-4fba-b524-ffceb7e11d5a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_036ac839-eaad-4300-865e-18eaf1e15fe2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_665be488-a29c-4fba-b524-ffceb7e11d5a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_665be488-a29c-4fba-b524-ffceb7e11d5a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_665be488-a29c-4fba-b524-ffceb7e11d5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_665be488-a29c-4fba-b524-ffceb7e11d5a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6884dd85-5d93-43d2-ac92-47c7aed10907" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_665be488-a29c-4fba-b524-ffceb7e11d5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6884dd85-5d93-43d2-ac92-47c7aed10907" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_bfb3a604-052a-4cae-abe1-8b6d9a8880e1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_6884dd85-5d93-43d2-ac92-47c7aed10907" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_bfb3a604-052a-4cae-abe1-8b6d9a8880e1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_27cb3ae5-c0ef-4c73-b121-123c11611e20" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_036ac839-eaad-4300-865e-18eaf1e15fe2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_27cb3ae5-c0ef-4c73-b121-123c11611e20" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_27cb3ae5-c0ef-4c73-b121-123c11611e20_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_27cb3ae5-c0ef-4c73-b121-123c11611e20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_27cb3ae5-c0ef-4c73-b121-123c11611e20_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_690f3dfb-2e2f-4823-b8a6-ac5c108057d6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_27cb3ae5-c0ef-4c73-b121-123c11611e20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_690f3dfb-2e2f-4823-b8a6-ac5c108057d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_67f76d90-b2bf-4f3b-8817-3ce0456f999e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_690f3dfb-2e2f-4823-b8a6-ac5c108057d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_67f76d90-b2bf-4f3b-8817-3ce0456f999e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if7d010dd23e146989734833f655f038e_4302f111-e09e-461c-8844-05fb7b2fb2a9"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialData" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#QuarterlyFinancialData"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialData" xlink:type="extended" id="i5c1a86e7f62f413f9b356911e6996978_dfbe8a21-d5ca-4b3a-8e1d-ee6d444afe14"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#QuarterlyFinancialDataTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i2fdc974330a944a58c996430dfe03386_c5ca20f9-c5cf-43bf-982a-bafa461318bb"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#QuarterlyFinancialDataDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i5cfdbda3b59f4896b034bb4c3342cc64_a59fc204-9855-490d-8193-06598faf6e5e"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/LeasesCodificationTopic842" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#LeasesCodificationTopic842"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/LeasesCodificationTopic842" xlink:type="extended" id="i42f0e874630849e6a6ad1862abc2deb8_22fadcc6-9840-4ec0-8cfb-9710438e8281"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/LeasesCodificationTopic842Tables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#LeasesCodificationTopic842Tables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/LeasesCodificationTopic842Tables" xlink:type="extended" id="ifbe814fe89c04a0fa690a35279a52caf_279fc630-98ac-4a01-9d1f-6ccd4f9880d1"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/LeasesCodificationTopic842Details" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whg-20191231.xsd#LeasesCodificationTopic842Details"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://westwoodgroup.com/role/LeasesCodificationTopic842Details" xlink:type="extended" id="i85d9f010c0a149c6bed1d7799fd116e0_0302783c-7831-4c96-b741-7f0cb0f6e9ae"/>
</link:linkbase>
