<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!-- -->
<linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/Acquisitions" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#Acquisitions" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingenciesCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/Debt" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#Debt" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/DebtCreditFacilityDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#DebtCreditFacilityDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/DebtFinancialCovenantsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#DebtFinancialCovenantsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/DebtTables" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#DebtTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/EarningsPerUnit" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#EarningsPerUnit" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/EarningsPerUnitDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#EarningsPerUnitDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/EarningsPerUnitTables" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#EarningsPerUnitTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/OilAndNaturalGasInterests" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#OilAndNaturalGasInterests" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/OilAndNaturalGasInterestsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#OilAndNaturalGasInterestsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/OilAndNaturalGasInterestsTables" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#OilAndNaturalGasInterestsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentation" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/PartnersCapitalAndPartnershipDistributions" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#PartnersCapitalAndPartnershipDistributions" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/PartnersCapitalAndPartnershipDistributionsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#PartnersCapitalAndPartnershipDistributionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/PartnersCapitalAndPartnershipDistributionsTables" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#PartnersCapitalAndPartnershipDistributionsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/PartnershipDistributionsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#PartnershipDistributionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#QuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactions" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/StatementOfConsolidatedUnitholdersEquityAndMembersEquity" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#StatementOfConsolidatedUnitholdersEquityAndMembersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConcentrationsAndInvestmentsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConcentrationsAndInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesOilAndNaturalGasPropertiesCapitalizedInterestAndDebtIssuanceCostsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesOilAndNaturalGasPropertiesCapitalizedInterestAndDebtIssuanceCostsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnaudited" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedAggregateCapitalizedCostsRelatedToOilAndNaturalGasProductionActivitiesDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedAggregateCapitalizedCostsRelatedToOilAndNaturalGasProductionActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedAverageFirstDayOfTheMonthPriceForOilNaturalGasAndNaturalGasLiquidsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedAverageFirstDayOfTheMonthPriceForOilNaturalGasAndNaturalGasLiquidsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedChangesInEstimatedProvedReservesDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedChangesInEstimatedProvedReservesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedCostsIncurredInCrudeOilAndNaturalGasActivitiesDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedCostsIncurredInCrudeOilAndNaturalGasActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedPrincipalChangesInStandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedPrincipalChangesInStandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedResultsOfOperationFromOilAndNaturalGasProducingActivitiesDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedResultsOfOperationFromOilAndNaturalGasProducingActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedStandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedStandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedTables" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensation" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#UnitBasedCompensation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensationAdditionalDisclosuresDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#UnitBasedCompensationAdditionalDisclosuresDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensationPhantomUnitsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#UnitBasedCompensationPhantomUnitsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensationTables" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#UnitBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensationUnitOptionActivityDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#UnitBasedCompensationUnitOptionActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensationValuationAssumptionsDetails" xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#UnitBasedCompensationValuationAssumptionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/Acquisitions" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_BD7E85A240343744FA6D3AAC3C644155" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_0A6674690E88295464EB3AAC3C64C539" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_BD7E85A240343744FA6D3AAC3C644155" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_0A6674690E88295464EB3AAC3C64C539" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_9DF191AF44C1704445A33AAC3C649B3B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_0A6674690E88295464EB3AAC3C64C539" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_9DF191AF44C1704445A33AAC3C649B3B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6488498D6BC48880B5C93AAC3C646748_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_9DF191AF44C1704445A33AAC3C649B3B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6488498D6BC48880B5C93AAC3C646748_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6488498D6BC48880B5C93AAC3C646748" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_9DF191AF44C1704445A33AAC3C649B3B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6488498D6BC48880B5C93AAC3C646748" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_HowardCountyTexasMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_HowardCountyTexasMember_56057A6C182C579F8CD43AACE6E793A5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6488498D6BC48880B5C93AAC3C646748" xlink:to="loc_vnom_HowardCountyTexasMember_56057A6C182C579F8CD43AACE6E793A5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_DC9D60EB9D773F2219B93AAC3C648EB1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_0A6674690E88295464EB3AAC3C64C539" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_DC9D60EB9D773F2219B93AAC3C648EB1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_62D71670520857387B2E3AAC3C641CE7_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_DC9D60EB9D773F2219B93AAC3C648EB1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_62D71670520857387B2E3AAC3C641CE7_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_62D71670520857387B2E3AAC3C641CE7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_DC9D60EB9D773F2219B93AAC3C648EB1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_62D71670520857387B2E3AAC3C641CE7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_DiamondbackEPLLCMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEPLLCMember_18636E2D714D928D890D3AAC3C64A9B1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_62D71670520857387B2E3AAC3C641CE7" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEPLLCMember_18636E2D714D928D890D3AAC3C64A9B1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_MineralPropertiesGrossAcres" xlink:label="loc_vnom_MineralPropertiesGrossAcres_C3BD54F6728516A39FEA3AAC3C64DF1E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_BD7E85A240343744FA6D3AAC3C644155" xlink:to="loc_vnom_MineralPropertiesGrossAcres_C3BD54F6728516A39FEA3AAC3C64DF1E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_MineralPropertiesNetAcres" xlink:label="loc_vnom_MineralPropertiesNetAcres_86CEF9463FE8767C4DC73AAC3C64BF25" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_BD7E85A240343744FA6D3AAC3C644155" xlink:to="loc_vnom_MineralPropertiesNetAcres_86CEF9463FE8767C4DC73AAC3C64BF25" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMineralRights" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMineralRights_6659E91749E228B6F2A13AAC3C6A700E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_BD7E85A240343744FA6D3AAC3C644155" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMineralRights_6659E91749E228B6F2A13AAC3C6A700E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_OilandGasPropertyPercentofRoyaltyInterest" xlink:label="loc_vnom_OilandGasPropertyPercentofRoyaltyInterest_E0A38BAAE54010EBA49F3AADD7A6AD7C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_BD7E85A240343744FA6D3AAC3C644155" xlink:to="loc_vnom_OilandGasPropertyPercentofRoyaltyInterest_E0A38BAAE54010EBA49F3AADD7A6AD7C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments_B73E124F0303E3DFD85A3AAC3C6A8E3C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_BD7E85A240343744FA6D3AAC3C644155" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments_B73E124F0303E3DFD85A3AAC3C6A8E3C" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_33ACE7D28F85A94B64F98E7B678C6F73" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_A67A61D8F2D9464A52C68E7B678CBAA6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_33ACE7D28F85A94B64F98E7B678C6F73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_A67A61D8F2D9464A52C68E7B678CBAA6" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_EDCE998323566A50B43B8E7B678C0CF4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_A67A61D8F2D9464A52C68E7B678CBAA6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_EDCE998323566A50B43B8E7B678C0CF4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_9A468ABFAD8DBA4CC37A8E7B678CB374_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_EDCE998323566A50B43B8E7B678C0CF4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_9A468ABFAD8DBA4CC37A8E7B678CB374_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_9A468ABFAD8DBA4CC37A8E7B678CB374" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_EDCE998323566A50B43B8E7B678C0CF4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_9A468ABFAD8DBA4CC37A8E7B678CB374" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember_88B93B16EBF18A5C84E38E7B678C2805" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_9A468ABFAD8DBA4CC37A8E7B678CB374" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember_88B93B16EBF18A5C84E38E7B678C2805" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_EF4B211250DFEF1280178E7B9AB6CA52" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_33ACE7D28F85A94B64F98E7B678C6F73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_EF4B211250DFEF1280178E7B9AB6CA52" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/Debt" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/DebtCreditFacilityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B55886F4FDDC2FEACDC842879D0CE320" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_89C68C9D63BAA7BC7AC642879D0B952D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B55886F4FDDC2FEACDC842879D0CE320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_89C68C9D63BAA7BC7AC642879D0B952D" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_D8B164B6781621601A5042879D0BD0F6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_89C68C9D63BAA7BC7AC642879D0B952D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_D8B164B6781621601A5042879D0BD0F6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2DF13F8000D576C5110D42879D0BF293_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_D8B164B6781621601A5042879D0BD0F6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2DF13F8000D576C5110D42879D0BF293_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2DF13F8000D576C5110D42879D0BF293" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_D8B164B6781621601A5042879D0BD0F6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2DF13F8000D576C5110D42879D0BF293" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_D676D8E8BE23D9A26D8B42879D0B5AE7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2DF13F8000D576C5110D42879D0BF293" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_D676D8E8BE23D9A26D8B42879D0B5AE7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_FD66940CD52B4E95452C42879D0B8F2D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_89C68C9D63BAA7BC7AC642879D0B952D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_FD66940CD52B4E95452C42879D0B8F2D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3C2531B585F713F3AB6842879D0B460F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_FD66940CD52B4E95452C42879D0B8F2D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3C2531B585F713F3AB6842879D0B460F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3C2531B585F713F3AB6842879D0B460F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_FD66940CD52B4E95452C42879D0B8F2D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3C2531B585F713F3AB6842879D0B460F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_13D8678772FA53124F7542879D0BC23C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3C2531B585F713F3AB6842879D0B460F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_13D8678772FA53124F7542879D0BC23C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_3BA5DD73AF0491DBF48442879D0BDE25" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3C2531B585F713F3AB6842879D0B460F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_3BA5DD73AF0491DBF48442879D0BDE25" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_B6E276BAB9A9C0D4761242879D0B0969" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_89C68C9D63BAA7BC7AC642879D0B952D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_B6E276BAB9A9C0D4761242879D0B0969" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_388D13033D3CE2C3B14C42879D0B4EBE_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_B6E276BAB9A9C0D4761242879D0B0969" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_388D13033D3CE2C3B14C42879D0B4EBE_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_388D13033D3CE2C3B14C42879D0B4EBE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_B6E276BAB9A9C0D4761242879D0B0969" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_388D13033D3CE2C3B14C42879D0B4EBE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FederalFundsEffectiveSwapRateMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FederalFundsEffectiveSwapRateMember_0938976F92A94BFFB6D842879D0C9E11" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_388D13033D3CE2C3B14C42879D0B4EBE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FederalFundsEffectiveSwapRateMember_0938976F92A94BFFB6D842879D0C9E11" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_813987BDCC7282FD47F442879D0C44B2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_388D13033D3CE2C3B14C42879D0B4EBE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_813987BDCC7282FD47F442879D0C44B2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_B7FB8FCC9EDFCC7795FC42879D0C7B42" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_388D13033D3CE2C3B14C42879D0B4EBE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_B7FB8FCC9EDFCC7795FC42879D0C7B42" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_43B977370FF1CEA0A7F342879D0CAF85" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B55886F4FDDC2FEACDC842879D0CE320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_43B977370FF1CEA0A7F342879D0CAF85" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBaseNumberOfRedeterminations" xlink:label="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBaseNumberOfRedeterminations_A3F3D47C9E1BECB1029F42879D0CCA66" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B55886F4FDDC2FEACDC842879D0CE320" xlink:to="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBaseNumberOfRedeterminations_A3F3D47C9E1BECB1029F42879D0CCA66" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBasePeriodOfRedetermination" xlink:label="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBasePeriodOfRedetermination_FA417644C1A6C6F1445742879D0C4585" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B55886F4FDDC2FEACDC842879D0CE320" xlink:to="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBasePeriodOfRedetermination_FA417644C1A6C6F1445742879D0C4585" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_628B5436A79AEDFFB0DB42879D0C60C8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B55886F4FDDC2FEACDC842879D0CE320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_628B5436A79AEDFFB0DB42879D0C60C8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_028A1AF92EFBF9B9DCC242879D0C9094" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B55886F4FDDC2FEACDC842879D0CE320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_028A1AF92EFBF9B9DCC242879D0C9094" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_69F0EF29295BEF7A4EE542879D0CFB48" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B55886F4FDDC2FEACDC842879D0CE320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_69F0EF29295BEF7A4EE542879D0CFB48" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_4F44F54E2394B6548C6E42879D0CCF86" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B55886F4FDDC2FEACDC842879D0CE320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_4F44F54E2394B6548C6E42879D0CCF86" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_3B82D7D9F3C622C2DADD42879D0CF7D9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B55886F4FDDC2FEACDC842879D0CE320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_3B82D7D9F3C622C2DADD42879D0CF7D9" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/DebtFinancialCovenantsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_003B901003BA8BCD83733AE2E98354CE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_741C2DE96F59DDEF45AD3AE2E9720876" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_003B901003BA8BCD83733AE2E98354CE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_741C2DE96F59DDEF45AD3AE2E9720876" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_023CA0E175FE60906CE23ADE17C68BE5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_741C2DE96F59DDEF45AD3AE2E9720876" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_023CA0E175FE60906CE23ADE17C68BE5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_F385D8ABC0A199B544843ADE17C68F83_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_023CA0E175FE60906CE23ADE17C68BE5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_F385D8ABC0A199B544843ADE17C68F83_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_F385D8ABC0A199B544843ADE17C68F83" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_023CA0E175FE60906CE23ADE17C68BE5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_F385D8ABC0A199B544843ADE17C68F83" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_BF3408D82339D7514D6B3AE12998E286" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_F385D8ABC0A199B544843ADE17C68F83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_BF3408D82339D7514D6B3AE12998E286" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_E69BAB6B72742A8655993AE14EFEC584" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_F385D8ABC0A199B544843ADE17C68F83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_E69BAB6B72742A8655993AE14EFEC584" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsRatioOfTotalDebtToEarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationDepletionAmortizationAndExplorationExpense" xlink:label="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsRatioOfTotalDebtToEarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationDepletionAmortizationAndExplorationExpense_1606C021ED6D3F3E65BB3AE2E9837583" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_003B901003BA8BCD83733AE2E98354CE" xlink:to="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsRatioOfTotalDebtToEarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationDepletionAmortizationAndExplorationExpense_1606C021ED6D3F3E65BB3AE2E9837583" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsRatioOfCurrentAssetsToLiabilities" xlink:label="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsRatioOfCurrentAssetsToLiabilities_89FF31D48DECB707A9CC3AE2E9840F10" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_003B901003BA8BCD83733AE2E98354CE" xlink:to="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsRatioOfCurrentAssetsToLiabilities_89FF31D48DECB707A9CC3AE2E9840F10" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsMaximumIssuanceOfAdditionalIndebtedness" xlink:label="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsMaximumIssuanceOfAdditionalIndebtedness_0A8D8C71ACB2C137992F3AE2E984BB60" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_003B901003BA8BCD83733AE2E98354CE" xlink:to="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsMaximumIssuanceOfAdditionalIndebtedness_0A8D8C71ACB2C137992F3AE2E984BB60" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsDecreaseOfBorrowingBaseUponIssuanceOfAdditionalIndebtednessPercentage" xlink:label="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsDecreaseOfBorrowingBaseUponIssuanceOfAdditionalIndebtednessPercentage_C93C2384D4B961D9EEA53AE2E984492C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_003B901003BA8BCD83733AE2E98354CE" xlink:to="loc_vnom_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsDecreaseOfBorrowingBaseUponIssuanceOfAdditionalIndebtednessPercentage_C93C2384D4B961D9EEA53AE2E984492C" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/DebtTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/EarningsPerUnit" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/EarningsPerUnitDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/EarningsPerUnitTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/OilAndNaturalGasInterests" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/OilAndNaturalGasInterestsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_F15B52CF6C98360028CD439FCDB7EE1B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_8E0BD3790B1674F0A39A439FCDB7DB50" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_F15B52CF6C98360028CD439FCDB7EE1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_8E0BD3790B1674F0A39A439FCDB7DB50" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_BA68E3D157AFC993ADC3439FCDB75D80" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_8E0BD3790B1674F0A39A439FCDB7DB50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_BA68E3D157AFC993ADC3439FCDB75D80" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_D52D79002E15F04CBDD4439FCDB7DEFC_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_BA68E3D157AFC993ADC3439FCDB75D80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_D52D79002E15F04CBDD4439FCDB7DEFC_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_D52D79002E15F04CBDD4439FCDB7DEFC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_BA68E3D157AFC993ADC3439FCDB75D80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_D52D79002E15F04CBDD4439FCDB7DEFC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_6CD5B3EB47648A74DC38439FCDB7BECC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_D52D79002E15F04CBDD4439FCDB7DEFC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_6CD5B3EB47648A74DC38439FCDB7BECC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_E665E0430B72F71EAD05439FCDB7425F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_D52D79002E15F04CBDD4439FCDB7DEFC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_E665E0430B72F71EAD05439FCDB7425F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsProvedProperties" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsProvedProperties_28041CF717E5720597FD439FCDB749C1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_F15B52CF6C98360028CD439FCDB7EE1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsProvedProperties_28041CF717E5720597FD439FCDB749C1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortizationCumulative" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortizationCumulative_CA06AA98A89F2EA45871439FCDB72EF8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_F15B52CF6C98360028CD439FCDB7EE1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortizationCumulative_CA06AA98A89F2EA45871439FCDB72EF8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OilAndGasPropertyFullCostMethodGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasPropertyFullCostMethodGross_A4878C1671F9B1614807439FCDB8C9D9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_F15B52CF6C98360028CD439FCDB7EE1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasPropertyFullCostMethodGross_A4878C1671F9B1614807439FCDB8C9D9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OilAndGasPropertyFullCostMethodDepletion" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasPropertyFullCostMethodDepletion_91FE4E2F01141FF02FDE439FCDB855CF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_F15B52CF6C98360028CD439FCDB7EE1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasPropertyFullCostMethodDepletion_91FE4E2F01141FF02FDE439FCDB855CF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OilAndGasPropertyFullCostMethodNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasPropertyFullCostMethodNet_B6B576710290C3270B0A439FCDB8D2B5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_F15B52CF6C98360028CD439FCDB7EE1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasPropertyFullCostMethodNet_B6B576710290C3270B0A439FCDB8D2B5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortization" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortization_E99BF478170DE63F2C34439FCDB80702" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_F15B52CF6C98360028CD439FCDB7EE1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedCostsOfUnprovedPropertiesExcludedFromAmortization_E99BF478170DE63F2C34439FCDB80702" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AnticipatedTimingOfInclusionOfCostsInAmortizationCalculation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AnticipatedTimingOfInclusionOfCostsInAmortizationCalculation_20E132749CEA5C01C7C5439FCDB80C93" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_F15B52CF6C98360028CD439FCDB7EE1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AnticipatedTimingOfInclusionOfCostsInAmortizationCalculation_20E132749CEA5C01C7C5439FCDB80C93" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties_3B72D52031833EE0248A439FCDB8FA0C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_F15B52CF6C98360028CD439FCDB7EE1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties_3B72D52031833EE0248A439FCDB8FA0C" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/OilAndNaturalGasInterestsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/OrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_6521882D6F14BF23254B3A9CB11442E1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_45A31EBC152D46D956013A9CB112F943" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_6521882D6F14BF23254B3A9CB11442E1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_45A31EBC152D46D956013A9CB112F943" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_DCEE64ECF47692CA0C1F3ADA9207A2EF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_45A31EBC152D46D956013A9CB112F943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_DCEE64ECF47692CA0C1F3ADA9207A2EF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2611D8FE8A9B4927EBBF3ADA9208B7AD_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_DCEE64ECF47692CA0C1F3ADA9207A2EF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2611D8FE8A9B4927EBBF3ADA9208B7AD_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2611D8FE8A9B4927EBBF3ADA9208B7AD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_DCEE64ECF47692CA0C1F3ADA9207A2EF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2611D8FE8A9B4927EBBF3ADA9208B7AD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_88B8C503ACD3A5C3F6F13ADA927ABEB7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2611D8FE8A9B4927EBBF3ADA9208B7AD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_88B8C503ACD3A5C3F6F13ADA927ABEB7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_89EA49C069D8E202B8563A9CB1131054" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_45A31EBC152D46D956013A9CB112F943" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_89EA49C069D8E202B8563A9CB1131054" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_34E49ACDB23C09CE09AB3A9CB1135D72_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_89EA49C069D8E202B8563A9CB1131054" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_34E49ACDB23C09CE09AB3A9CB1135D72_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_34E49ACDB23C09CE09AB3A9CB1135D72" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_89EA49C069D8E202B8563A9CB1131054" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_34E49ACDB23C09CE09AB3A9CB1135D72" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_8D8174541D83D5EDC29F3A9CB1132E87" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_34E49ACDB23C09CE09AB3A9CB1135D72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_8D8174541D83D5EDC29F3A9CB1132E87" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_2478F6C5B228A39FAE8B3A9D52E9D2CA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_45A31EBC152D46D956013A9CB112F943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_2478F6C5B228A39FAE8B3A9D52E9D2CA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_3E28285A731F23041E7C3A9E38B90BBE_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_2478F6C5B228A39FAE8B3A9D52E9D2CA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_3E28285A731F23041E7C3A9E38B90BBE_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_3E28285A731F23041E7C3A9E38B90BBE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_2478F6C5B228A39FAE8B3A9D52E9D2CA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_3E28285A731F23041E7C3A9E38B90BBE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member_62F7E55F0272767D4B6B3A9E38BB84C6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_3E28285A731F23041E7C3A9E38B90BBE" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member_62F7E55F0272767D4B6B3A9E38BB84C6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_9C5AA481462006C4BCFF3A9CB113FE71" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_45A31EBC152D46D956013A9CB112F943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_9C5AA481462006C4BCFF3A9CB113FE71" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_C6CFCBB0E08869DD8A9B3A9CB1138E65_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_9C5AA481462006C4BCFF3A9CB113FE71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_C6CFCBB0E08869DD8A9B3A9CB1138E65_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_C6CFCBB0E08869DD8A9B3A9CB1138E65" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_9C5AA481462006C4BCFF3A9CB113FE71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_C6CFCBB0E08869DD8A9B3A9CB1138E65" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IPOMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IPOMember_3B67753F2F92866451EA3A9CB1139B40" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_C6CFCBB0E08869DD8A9B3A9CB1138E65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IPOMember_3B67753F2F92866451EA3A9CB1139B40" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OverAllotmentOptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OverAllotmentOptionMember_9142BF02F1EDDB8A7BD83A9CB113C78A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_C6CFCBB0E08869DD8A9B3A9CB1138E65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OverAllotmentOptionMember_9142BF02F1EDDB8A7BD83A9CB113C78A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_FollowonPublicOfferingMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_FollowonPublicOfferingMember_082343F71C6AE60AA6B43A9ECA0571DA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_C6CFCBB0E08869DD8A9B3A9CB1138E65" xlink:to="loc_vnom_FollowonPublicOfferingMember_082343F71C6AE60AA6B43A9ECA0571DA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_93E8F6ABA85EF626B0243A9CB113D242" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_45A31EBC152D46D956013A9CB112F943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_93E8F6ABA85EF626B0243A9CB113D242" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_7EDDBC884DE23B7C873F3A9CB11311E5_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_93E8F6ABA85EF626B0243A9CB113D242" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_7EDDBC884DE23B7C873F3A9CB11311E5_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_7EDDBC884DE23B7C873F3A9CB11311E5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_93E8F6ABA85EF626B0243A9CB113D242" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_7EDDBC884DE23B7C873F3A9CB11311E5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_F02E79199479AC59E38B3A9CB114CCAB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_7EDDBC884DE23B7C873F3A9CB11311E5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_F02E79199479AC59E38B3A9CB114CCAB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_0CFD73927C53A45AFEBC3A9CB1144DD1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_7EDDBC884DE23B7C873F3A9CB11311E5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_0CFD73927C53A45AFEBC3A9CB1144DD1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsSoldInPublicOffering" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsSoldInPublicOffering_95B657DA82002CAAF8893A9CB11469B7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_6521882D6F14BF23254B3A9CB11442E1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsSoldInPublicOffering_95B657DA82002CAAF8893A9CB11469B7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_D9B32993E7E2449233E63A9CB114C223" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_6521882D6F14BF23254B3A9CB11442E1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_D9B32993E7E2449233E63A9CB114C223" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountPublicSaleOfUnitsNetOfOfferingCosts" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountPublicSaleOfUnitsNetOfOfferingCosts_99B565D0B8D1D1A547CE3A9CB114C16A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_6521882D6F14BF23254B3A9CB11442E1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountPublicSaleOfUnitsNetOfOfferingCosts_99B565D0B8D1D1A547CE3A9CB114C16A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConverted" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConverted_6B6FC52DDD48490529193A9CB1147A06" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_6521882D6F14BF23254B3A9CB11442E1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConverted_6B6FC52DDD48490529193A9CB1147A06" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_DistributionsPayableRelatedPartiesCurrent" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DistributionsPayableRelatedPartiesCurrent_1E9EE46E7980C569ED283A9CB114E301" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_6521882D6F14BF23254B3A9CB11442E1" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DistributionsPayableRelatedPartiesCurrent_1E9EE46E7980C569ED283A9CB114E301" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_DistributionToRelatedParty" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DistributionToRelatedParty_C0ADF84E16CFCEC46AD33A9CB11417D0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_6521882D6F14BF23254B3A9CB11442E1" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DistributionToRelatedParty_C0ADF84E16CFCEC46AD33A9CB11417D0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPManagingMemberOrGeneralPartnerOwnershipInterest" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPManagingMemberOrGeneralPartnerOwnershipInterest_2D2A8424FBA8926A417E3A9CB114E6BC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_6521882D6F14BF23254B3A9CB11442E1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPManagingMemberOrGeneralPartnerOwnershipInterest_2D2A8424FBA8926A417E3A9CB114E6BC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_41A46A52BB910E52BD643A9CB1141A01" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_6521882D6F14BF23254B3A9CB11442E1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_41A46A52BB910E52BD643A9CB1141A01" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/PartnersCapitalAndPartnershipDistributions" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/PartnersCapitalAndPartnershipDistributionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_980A01184D34088E120242879CDD5CDC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3857A815FC08A727884742879CDCC4FC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_980A01184D34088E120242879CDD5CDC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3857A815FC08A727884742879CDCC4FC" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_35DBA7B12C981E6074744290EAA7D431" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3857A815FC08A727884742879CDCC4FC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_35DBA7B12C981E6074744290EAA7D431" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_F26A1BEC95B295C096254290EAAA448D_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_35DBA7B12C981E6074744290EAA7D431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_F26A1BEC95B295C096254290EAAA448D_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_F26A1BEC95B295C096254290EAAA448D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_35DBA7B12C981E6074744290EAA7D431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_F26A1BEC95B295C096254290EAAA448D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_FF654D70127EE9E8789E429135BF74BA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_F26A1BEC95B295C096254290EAAA448D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_FF654D70127EE9E8789E429135BF74BA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_A3F235AF2B8F56BCDCB042879CDCEB69" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3857A815FC08A727884742879CDCC4FC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_A3F235AF2B8F56BCDCB042879CDCEB69" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_40F567E1C14A705EEC3E42879CDCDCF6_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_A3F235AF2B8F56BCDCB042879CDCEB69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_40F567E1C14A705EEC3E42879CDCDCF6_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_40F567E1C14A705EEC3E42879CDCDCF6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_A3F235AF2B8F56BCDCB042879CDCEB69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_40F567E1C14A705EEC3E42879CDCDCF6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_FollowonPublicOfferingMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_FollowonPublicOfferingMember_3DCEED240A125F76A71942879CDC3002" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_40F567E1C14A705EEC3E42879CDCDCF6" xlink:to="loc_vnom_FollowonPublicOfferingMember_3DCEED240A125F76A71942879CDC3002" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_C763CC21B1B6D21E381542879CDDD8C6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_3857A815FC08A727884742879CDCC4FC" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_C763CC21B1B6D21E381542879CDDD8C6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_B2FB6B43AFF75EC930DA42879CDD05A5_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_C763CC21B1B6D21E381542879CDDD8C6" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_B2FB6B43AFF75EC930DA42879CDD05A5_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_B2FB6B43AFF75EC930DA42879CDD05A5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_C763CC21B1B6D21E381542879CDDD8C6" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_B2FB6B43AFF75EC930DA42879CDD05A5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_317EAA3D395BD474A26642879CDDD391" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_B2FB6B43AFF75EC930DA42879CDD05A5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_317EAA3D395BD474A26642879CDDD391" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsIssued" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsIssued_5E66872B64F2DB16460242879CDD7130" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_980A01184D34088E120242879CDD5CDC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsIssued_5E66872B64F2DB16460242879CDD7130" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding_22E6791578E5449209FC42879CDD07D7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_980A01184D34088E120242879CDD5CDC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountUnitsOutstanding_22E6791578E5449209FC42879CDD07D7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount_8550C0A631D370EC521F42879CDD4D94" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_980A01184D34088E120242879CDD5CDC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount_8550C0A631D370EC521F42879CDD4D94" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsSoldInPublicOffering" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsSoldInPublicOffering_8A3B9233A782CEB7FE6142879CDDC51C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_980A01184D34088E120242879CDD5CDC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsSoldInPublicOffering_8A3B9233A782CEB7FE6142879CDDC51C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsUnitbasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsUnitbasedCompensation_1CA71E422F0F2E5BC79C42879CDD3450" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_980A01184D34088E120242879CDD5CDC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsUnitbasedCompensation_1CA71E422F0F2E5BC79C42879CDD3450" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_2B41A70C0E7A363A35B842879CDDE6C3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_980A01184D34088E120242879CDD5CDC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPMembersOrLimitedPartnersOwnershipInterest_2B41A70C0E7A363A35B842879CDDE6C3" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/PartnersCapitalAndPartnershipDistributionsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/PartnershipDistributionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_16F0CEE59FBC3689DB7F8EE31CB3D632" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToLimitedPartnerTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToLimitedPartnerTable_14F2D88A5FEB263C5BE98EE31CB2092F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_16F0CEE59FBC3689DB7F8EE31CB3D632" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToLimitedPartnerTable_14F2D88A5FEB263C5BE98EE31CB2092F" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_E38A08AF4930D6AD4F1C8EE31CB32F11" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToLimitedPartnerTable_14F2D88A5FEB263C5BE98EE31CB2092F" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_E38A08AF4930D6AD4F1C8EE31CB32F11" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_B686229CDE88A638D9948EE31CB32A08_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_E38A08AF4930D6AD4F1C8EE31CB32F11" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_B686229CDE88A638D9948EE31CB32A08_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_B686229CDE88A638D9948EE31CB32A08" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_E38A08AF4930D6AD4F1C8EE31CB32F11" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_B686229CDE88A638D9948EE31CB32A08" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_7FC9A13684C18630F35E8EE31CB32F5A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_B686229CDE88A638D9948EE31CB32A08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_7FC9A13684C18630F35E8EE31CB32F5A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_E8A58D0FAD58B2796B6C8EE31CB3C29A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToLimitedPartnerTable_14F2D88A5FEB263C5BE98EE31CB2092F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_E8A58D0FAD58B2796B6C8EE31CB3C29A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_C6623D3CB46F87C6A50B8EE31CB350A8_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_E8A58D0FAD58B2796B6C8EE31CB3C29A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_C6623D3CB46F87C6A50B8EE31CB350A8_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_C6623D3CB46F87C6A50B8EE31CB350A8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionsMadeToMemberOrLimitedPartnerByDistributionTypeAxis_E8A58D0FAD58B2796B6C8EE31CB3C29A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_C6623D3CB46F87C6A50B8EE31CB350A8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashDistributionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_6DAB07EB266AED5040598EE31CB37D65" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionTypeDomain_C6623D3CB46F87C6A50B8EE31CB350A8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashDistributionMember_6DAB07EB266AED5040598EE31CB37D65" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_DistributionMadetoLimitedPartnerDistributionDatePeriodafterQuarterEnd" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DistributionMadetoLimitedPartnerDistributionDatePeriodafterQuarterEnd_FF714CB2D843EC7B3A638EE31CB39AA4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_16F0CEE59FBC3689DB7F8EE31CB3D632" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DistributionMadetoLimitedPartnerDistributionDatePeriodafterQuarterEnd_FF714CB2D843EC7B3A638EE31CB39AA4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit_D0CD5E84440B455EE7898EE31CB3BE1C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_16F0CEE59FBC3689DB7F8EE31CB3D632" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit_D0CD5E84440B455EE7898EE31CB3BE1C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_2161E0C5722288C2B7248EE31CB41805" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerLineItems_16F0CEE59FBC3689DB7F8EE31CB3D632" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_2161E0C5722288C2B7248EE31CB41805" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_9D4CF482615A5A039C45F50B6CA949D0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_EAC3AF4B5C8D525795B37DF4B61694E0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_9D4CF482615A5A039C45F50B6CA949D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_EAC3AF4B5C8D525795B37DF4B61694E0" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_13CC6C2421205EC8BAC3F94074155889" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_EAC3AF4B5C8D525795B37DF4B61694E0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_13CC6C2421205EC8BAC3F94074155889" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_D40B2EC92611A03A031BA13DC9A3F672_22A3E42A56AB591B8811BB1FA4313537" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_13CC6C2421205EC8BAC3F94074155889" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_D40B2EC92611A03A031BA13DC9A3F672_22A3E42A56AB591B8811BB1FA4313537" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_9785EA0D19F752809A7642CED55A8E79" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_13CC6C2421205EC8BAC3F94074155889" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_9785EA0D19F752809A7642CED55A8E79" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationTableTextBlock" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationTableTextBlock_0D3B2E25F1A15BD697359D9168EDA79F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_9D4CF482615A5A039C45F50B6CA949D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationTableTextBlock_0D3B2E25F1A15BD697359D9168EDA79F" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_B40E40C435A87B8242603ABA054FE578" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_B40E40C435A87B8242603ABA054FE578" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_39E00678B13CD0244CAA3AE684DAED4B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_B40E40C435A87B8242603ABA054FE578" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_39E00678B13CD0244CAA3AE684DAED4B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_E4FDB0D2ED0D9F1274A83AE684DEEB3C_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_39E00678B13CD0244CAA3AE684DAED4B" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_E4FDB0D2ED0D9F1274A83AE684DEEB3C_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_E4FDB0D2ED0D9F1274A83AE684DEEB3C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_39E00678B13CD0244CAA3AE684DAED4B" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_E4FDB0D2ED0D9F1274A83AE684DEEB3C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_ED5F3512502E3E2F6F8E3AE6853925C9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_E4FDB0D2ED0D9F1274A83AE684DEEB3C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_ED5F3512502E3E2F6F8E3AE6853925C9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_5C74834A3BEAD3C821573ABA7186BB19" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_B40E40C435A87B8242603ABA054FE578" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_5C74834A3BEAD3C821573ABA7186BB19" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_818AD551587BA1D89E063ABA7320F80A_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_5C74834A3BEAD3C821573ABA7186BB19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_818AD551587BA1D89E063ABA7320F80A_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_818AD551587BA1D89E063ABA7320F80A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_5C74834A3BEAD3C821573ABA7186BB19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_818AD551587BA1D89E063ABA7320F80A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_HowardCountyTexasMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_HowardCountyTexasMember_49F92F84850E1DEEFDBE3ABA7395D33E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_818AD551587BA1D89E063ABA7320F80A" xlink:to="loc_vnom_HowardCountyTexasMember_49F92F84850E1DEEFDBE3ABA7395D33E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_FFC26878DE0CDBEB97353ABA054FA304" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_B40E40C435A87B8242603ABA054FE578" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_FFC26878DE0CDBEB97353ABA054FA304" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_B59C27023296B544EBDB3ABA054FD128_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_FFC26878DE0CDBEB97353ABA054FA304" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_B59C27023296B544EBDB3ABA054FD128_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_B59C27023296B544EBDB3ABA054FD128" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_FFC26878DE0CDBEB97353ABA054FA304" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_B59C27023296B544EBDB3ABA054FD128" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_DiamondbackEPLLCMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEPLLCMember_B5122D1F357F17126EB33ABA054FAAC6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_B59C27023296B544EBDB3ABA054FD128" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEPLLCMember_B5122D1F357F17126EB33ABA054FAAC6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_90EDED780E966A6E144B3ABA054F4381" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_B40E40C435A87B8242603ABA054FE578" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_90EDED780E966A6E144B3ABA054F4381" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_674C1AD9196C44E358633ABA054F2BAC_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_90EDED780E966A6E144B3ABA054F4381" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_674C1AD9196C44E358633ABA054F2BAC_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_674C1AD9196C44E358633ABA054F2BAC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_90EDED780E966A6E144B3ABA054F4381" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_674C1AD9196C44E358633ABA054F2BAC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_5C53F0C1FEBF457763963ABA05509A5D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_674C1AD9196C44E358633ABA054F2BAC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_5C53F0C1FEBF457763963ABA05509A5D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AffiliatedEntityMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AffiliatedEntityMember_FE2D35A0F0F04266AAF13ABA055029AA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_674C1AD9196C44E358633ABA054F2BAC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AffiliatedEntityMember_FE2D35A0F0F04266AAF13ABA055029AA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_428FD4881BF27569C2C13ABA05501CE9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_674C1AD9196C44E358633ABA054F2BAC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_428FD4881BF27569C2C13ABA05501CE9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_EC42DA6BE34F9CD6E1913ABA0550F9A7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_B40E40C435A87B8242603ABA054FE578" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_EC42DA6BE34F9CD6E1913ABA0550F9A7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_A0F7765E97C7E3F5B0A03ABA055008F4_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_EC42DA6BE34F9CD6E1913ABA0550F9A7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_A0F7765E97C7E3F5B0A03ABA055008F4_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_A0F7765E97C7E3F5B0A03ABA055008F4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_EC42DA6BE34F9CD6E1913ABA0550F9A7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_A0F7765E97C7E3F5B0A03ABA055008F4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_PartnershipAgreementMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_PartnershipAgreementMember_93000072689EF1C1EAEF3ABA05501853" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_A0F7765E97C7E3F5B0A03ABA055008F4" xlink:to="loc_vnom_PartnershipAgreementMember_93000072689EF1C1EAEF3ABA05501853" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_AdvisoryServicesAgreementMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_AdvisoryServicesAgreementMember_F94AA444DCD50768DC553ABA055054B6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_A0F7765E97C7E3F5B0A03ABA055008F4" xlink:to="loc_vnom_AdvisoryServicesAgreementMember_F94AA444DCD50768DC553ABA055054B6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_SharedServiceAgreementMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_SharedServiceAgreementMember_DDEC9CC7C642C4D5C5A43ABA0550F324" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_A0F7765E97C7E3F5B0A03ABA055008F4" xlink:to="loc_vnom_SharedServiceAgreementMember_DDEC9CC7C642C4D5C5A43ABA0550F324" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_OilandGasPropertyPercentofRoyaltyInterest" xlink:label="loc_vnom_OilandGasPropertyPercentofRoyaltyInterest_D9CBC7F17DAD6FD0F6273ABA70E5182D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_vnom_OilandGasPropertyPercentofRoyaltyInterest_D9CBC7F17DAD6FD0F6273ABA70E5182D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMineralRights" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMineralRights_69626321416CF020DAFA3ABA712216CF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMineralRights_69626321416CF020DAFA3ABA712216CF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty_9709517A29958C8D57C13ABA0550A2AC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty_9709517A29958C8D57C13ABA0550A2AC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableRelatedPartiesCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableRelatedPartiesCurrent_6261D89D75E19CCBBCC03ABA05503119" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableRelatedPartiesCurrent_6261D89D75E19CCBBCC03ABA05503119" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties_CA86322ECDA05D0A58963ABA775DE625" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties_CA86322ECDA05D0A58963ABA775DE625" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_Numberofleasesextended" xlink:label="loc_vnom_Numberofleasesextended_9BD7CBFA8280B0A6F8453ABA779A9366" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_vnom_Numberofleasesextended_9BD7CBFA8280B0A6F8453ABA779A9366" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_Averagepriceperacre" xlink:label="loc_vnom_Averagepriceperacre_2EEC50ACC0BDEF88BE923ABA77D827FE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_vnom_Averagepriceperacre_2EEC50ACC0BDEF88BE923ABA77D827FE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionAnnualFeeForAdvisoryServicesWithRelatedParty" xlink:label="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionAnnualFeeForAdvisoryServicesWithRelatedParty_B56D4019065C986451F43ABA0550F8C6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionAnnualFeeForAdvisoryServicesWithRelatedParty_B56D4019065C986451F43ABA0550F8C6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionOriginalTermForAdvisoryServicesWithRelatedParty" xlink:label="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionOriginalTermForAdvisoryServicesWithRelatedParty_2855396E9F84A10D2E603ABA05503A36" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionOriginalTermForAdvisoryServicesWithRelatedParty_2855396E9F84A10D2E603ABA05503A36" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionRenewalTermforAdvisoryServiceswithRelatedParty" xlink:label="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionRenewalTermforAdvisoryServiceswithRelatedParty_DAE72645441022C0810B3ABA0550B426" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionRenewalTermforAdvisoryServiceswithRelatedParty_DAE72645441022C0810B3ABA0550B426" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionMinimumPeriodforCancellationofRenewalTerm" xlink:label="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionMinimumPeriodforCancellationofRenewalTerm_9FE2CDF14F40970E88913ABA0550FF54" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionMinimumPeriodforCancellationofRenewalTerm_9FE2CDF14F40970E88913ABA0550FF54" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionCancellationNoticeOfAgreement" xlink:label="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionCancellationNoticeOfAgreement_E3DF7C020D961310F9DB3ABA055063D8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionCancellationNoticeOfAgreement_E3DF7C020D961310F9DB3ABA055063D8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionMonthlyExpensefromTransactionswithRelatedParty" xlink:label="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionMonthlyExpensefromTransactionswithRelatedParty_F8EAF81687700E27010A3ABA0551EAE8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_65C3D2E84B468DE5AEE23ABA055023E6" xlink:to="loc_vnom_RelatedPartyTransactionMonthlyExpensefromTransactionswithRelatedParty_F8EAF81687700E27010A3ABA0551EAE8" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/StatementOfConsolidatedUnitholdersEquityAndMembersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_64D5613041C51B15227F436FFF9BDB59" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_096AA8FB817E79C3BCE0436FFF9A3372" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_64D5613041C51B15227F436FFF9BDB59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_096AA8FB817E79C3BCE0436FFF9A3372" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_7AAB769D50F96BF6F696436FFF9A9C02" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_096AA8FB817E79C3BCE0436FFF9A3372" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_7AAB769D50F96BF6F696436FFF9A9C02" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_42B2EEDBF6D445039173436FFF9B8AB7_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_7AAB769D50F96BF6F696436FFF9A9C02" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_42B2EEDBF6D445039173436FFF9B8AB7_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_42B2EEDBF6D445039173436FFF9B8AB7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_7AAB769D50F96BF6F696436FFF9A9C02" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_42B2EEDBF6D445039173436FFF9B8AB7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_B1D6E082DA0A413E8EE8436FFF9B5D7F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_42B2EEDBF6D445039173436FFF9B8AB7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember_B1D6E082DA0A413E8EE8436FFF9B5D7F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_75480B45748247A73048436FFF9B1FA5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_096AA8FB817E79C3BCE0436FFF9A3372" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_75480B45748247A73048436FFF9B1FA5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_69795D74EC495BDF8243436FFF9B5162_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_75480B45748247A73048436FFF9B1FA5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_69795D74EC495BDF8243436FFF9B5162_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_69795D74EC495BDF8243436FFF9B5162" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_75480B45748247A73048436FFF9B1FA5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_69795D74EC495BDF8243436FFF9B5162" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MemberUnitsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MemberUnitsMember_E3EFCA3EBAB14BB98F40436FFF9B9D35" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_69795D74EC495BDF8243436FFF9B5162" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MemberUnitsMember_E3EFCA3EBAB14BB98F40436FFF9B9D35" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_0493CE5723EB18379A3E436FFF9BE545" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_096AA8FB817E79C3BCE0436FFF9A3372" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_0493CE5723EB18379A3E436FFF9BE545" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_6EC304B59F2C0D7C8E1C436FFF9BF8B5_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_0493CE5723EB18379A3E436FFF9BE545" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_6EC304B59F2C0D7C8E1C436FFF9BF8B5_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_6EC304B59F2C0D7C8E1C436FFF9BF8B5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_0493CE5723EB18379A3E436FFF9BE545" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_6EC304B59F2C0D7C8E1C436FFF9BF8B5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PredecessorMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PredecessorMember_334AF022A3840B4F1005436FFF9BDAF1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_6EC304B59F2C0D7C8E1C436FFF9BF8B5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PredecessorMember_334AF022A3840B4F1005436FFF9BDAF1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_97A7A74B149BD209A27E436FFF9BFD95" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_096AA8FB817E79C3BCE0436FFF9A3372" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_97A7A74B149BD209A27E436FFF9BFD95" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_A55E5AFE4CB7BF4DFBB3436FFF9B93C1_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_97A7A74B149BD209A27E436FFF9BFD95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_A55E5AFE4CB7BF4DFBB3436FFF9B93C1_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_A55E5AFE4CB7BF4DFBB3436FFF9B93C1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_97A7A74B149BD209A27E436FFF9BFD95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_A55E5AFE4CB7BF4DFBB3436FFF9B93C1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_BA4E1059A19DA56FD2DC436FFF9B6B47" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_A55E5AFE4CB7BF4DFBB3436FFF9B93C1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_BA4E1059A19DA56FD2DC436FFF9B6B47" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_64D5613041C51B15227F436FFF9BDB59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapital" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapital_637A8614A938F5968683436FFF9B94A7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapital_637A8614A938F5968683436FFF9B94A7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_6AE48F804DB0C3A04C0E436FFFA2072B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_6AE48F804DB0C3A04C0E436FFFA2072B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAllocatedToLimitedPartners" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAllocatedToLimitedPartners_60018314D025A1561FE9436FFFA10311" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAllocatedToLimitedPartners_60018314D025A1561FE9436FFFA10311" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountContributions" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountContributions_CE7A87C5B6A166F87536436FFFA12396" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountContributions_CE7A87C5B6A166F87536436FFFA12396" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountExchangesAndConversions" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountExchangesAndConversions_AD390F2187A9B737101A436FFFA1CCD0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountExchangesAndConversions_AD390F2187A9B737101A436FFFA1CCD0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesOther" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesOther_4A8AD29A3A9C2652A2DC436FFFA27280" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesOther_4A8AD29A3A9C2652A2DC436FFFA27280" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_A1723C4852DAADBFAE52436FFFA221AD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_A1723C4852DAADBFAE52436FFFA221AD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountPublicSaleOfUnits" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountPublicSaleOfUnits_BDD9D7C6EFA4275A6BFF436FFFA18A0A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountPublicSaleOfUnits_BDD9D7C6EFA4275A6BFF436FFFA18A0A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsSoldInPublicOffering" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsSoldInPublicOffering_52622D527304759B1ABA436FFFA2BC51" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsSoldInPublicOffering_52622D527304759B1ABA436FFFA2BC51" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_DistributionToRelatedParty" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DistributionToRelatedParty_928A297145828658A4A8436FFFA17D02" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DistributionToRelatedParty_928A297145828658A4A8436FFFA17D02" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitBasedCompensation_6DD2A44BDF15EB0B1400436FFFA19DD6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitBasedCompensation_6DD2A44BDF15EB0B1400436FFFA19DD6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_E6F4E7A763F370953B7B436FFFA2E23B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_E6F4E7A763F370953B7B436FFFA2E23B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_80807886C629D8D2C5AD436FFFA1AD9F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmount_80807886C629D8D2C5AD436FFFA1AD9F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_Vnom_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmountRelatedParty" xlink:label="loc_vnom_Vnom_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmountRelatedParty_17F9975211F62B5D40B3436FFFA1E917" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_36396DBB07CF175E1A34436FFF9B9784" xlink:to="loc_vnom_Vnom_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountDistributionAmountRelatedParty_17F9975211F62B5D40B3436FFFA1E917" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_926CC2125EBAAC5F43BF42879CCFA599" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_2236EA6F75420F144A1B42879CCE87D1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_926CC2125EBAAC5F43BF42879CCFA599" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_2236EA6F75420F144A1B42879CCE87D1" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_2AEDA6CE45051CF5B9B642879CCEF5EB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_2236EA6F75420F144A1B42879CCE87D1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_2AEDA6CE45051CF5B9B642879CCEF5EB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_D001C986CE991C9ADB2242879CCEFBE8_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_2AEDA6CE45051CF5B9B642879CCEF5EB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_D001C986CE991C9ADB2242879CCEFBE8_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_D001C986CE991C9ADB2242879CCEFBE8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_2AEDA6CE45051CF5B9B642879CCEF5EB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_D001C986CE991C9ADB2242879CCEFBE8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_FollowonPublicOfferingMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_FollowonPublicOfferingMember_6CA6B674C00D6A63963342879CCE1879" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_D001C986CE991C9ADB2242879CCEFBE8" xlink:to="loc_vnom_FollowonPublicOfferingMember_6CA6B674C00D6A63963342879CCE1879" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OverAllotmentOptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OverAllotmentOptionMember_28E01A48FC9FD0A7E9E942879CCE8726" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_D001C986CE991C9ADB2242879CCEFBE8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OverAllotmentOptionMember_28E01A48FC9FD0A7E9E942879CCE8726" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_B240CAC4C283A960E8E842879CCE9CCF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_2236EA6F75420F144A1B42879CCE87D1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_B240CAC4C283A960E8E842879CCE9CCF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_F4A9267D969E687B60E842879CCE8C9F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_B240CAC4C283A960E8E842879CCE9CCF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_F4A9267D969E687B60E842879CCE8C9F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_F4A9267D969E687B60E842879CCE8C9F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_B240CAC4C283A960E8E842879CCE9CCF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_F4A9267D969E687B60E842879CCE8C9F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_3F51479480607C6D1E0B42879CCFAB49" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_F4A9267D969E687B60E842879CCE8C9F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_3F51479480607C6D1E0B42879CCFAB49" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction_90A57B688C42F1D9514A42879CCFBC3C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_926CC2125EBAAC5F43BF42879CCFA599" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction_90A57B688C42F1D9514A42879CCFBC3C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceivedOnTransaction" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceivedOnTransaction_47471509284EEF77AB4042879CCF1664" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_926CC2125EBAAC5F43BF42879CCFA599" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceivedOnTransaction_47471509284EEF77AB4042879CCF1664" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_020F1E204D90A299F02F4293EEC39EA7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_926CC2125EBAAC5F43BF42879CCFA599" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_020F1E204D90A299F02F4293EEC39EA7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit_8B836C3207C1AFE212FD42879CCFE17F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_926CC2125EBAAC5F43BF42879CCFA599" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerDistributionsDeclaredPerUnit_8B836C3207C1AFE212FD42879CCFE17F" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConcentrationsAndInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_6E3AEFB03683E2276A5D8E1E64AA1D2E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_F8262BFA15C6CBA8705A8E1E64A9D17C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_6E3AEFB03683E2276A5D8E1E64AA1D2E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_F8262BFA15C6CBA8705A8E1E64A9D17C" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_121DB9EE28EA85686B9C8E1E64A9770F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_F8262BFA15C6CBA8705A8E1E64A9D17C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_121DB9EE28EA85686B9C8E1E64A9770F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_E12D2A1546A2017C573D8E1E64A9405F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_121DB9EE28EA85686B9C8E1E64A9770F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_E12D2A1546A2017C573D8E1E64A9405F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_E12D2A1546A2017C573D8E1E64A9405F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_121DB9EE28EA85686B9C8E1E64A9770F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_E12D2A1546A2017C573D8E1E64A9405F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember_8C98C051BC5655F486BF8E1E64AAAB28" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_E12D2A1546A2017C573D8E1E64A9405F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember_8C98C051BC5655F486BF8E1E64AAAB28" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis_8EE5463FCDE5F3F899D98E1E64AA74F7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_F8262BFA15C6CBA8705A8E1E64A9D17C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis_8EE5463FCDE5F3F899D98E1E64AA74F7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_D94CAD1F8ACBB521DB5A8E1E64AA1016_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis_8EE5463FCDE5F3F899D98E1E64AA74F7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_D94CAD1F8ACBB521DB5A8E1E64AA1016_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_D94CAD1F8ACBB521DB5A8E1E64AA1016" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis_8EE5463FCDE5F3F899D98E1E64AA74F7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_D94CAD1F8ACBB521DB5A8E1E64AA1016" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_ShellTradingUSCompanyMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_ShellTradingUSCompanyMember_4E3731EAE5DA9D553F3B8E1E64AA9D5C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_D94CAD1F8ACBB521DB5A8E1E64AA1016" xlink:to="loc_vnom_ShellTradingUSCompanyMember_4E3731EAE5DA9D553F3B8E1E64AA9D5C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_RSPPermianLLCMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_RSPPermianLLCMember_CAD6AA2AE470592C65F58E2A82FA3A36" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_D94CAD1F8ACBB521DB5A8E1E64AA1016" xlink:to="loc_vnom_RSPPermianLLCMember_CAD6AA2AE470592C65F58E2A82FA3A36" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_PermianTransportTradingMember" xlink:label="loc_vnom_PermianTransportTradingMember_F3C46DC17AEC831A61778E1E64AA827C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_D94CAD1F8ACBB521DB5A8E1E64AA1016" xlink:to="loc_vnom_PermianTransportTradingMember_F3C46DC17AEC831A61778E1E64AA827C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_1595A4CFDC58A82E2C7C8E1E64AA1224" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_F8262BFA15C6CBA8705A8E1E64A9D17C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_1595A4CFDC58A82E2C7C8E1E64AA1224" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_6D0D9D1E01C49D9EE2488E1E64AAABDB_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_1595A4CFDC58A82E2C7C8E1E64AA1224" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_6D0D9D1E01C49D9EE2488E1E64AAABDB_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_6D0D9D1E01C49D9EE2488E1E64AAABDB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_1595A4CFDC58A82E2C7C8E1E64AA1224" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_6D0D9D1E01C49D9EE2488E1E64AAABDB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember_A59A7EB8693C0F9AEEF28E1E64AA6E94" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_6D0D9D1E01C49D9EE2488E1E64AAABDB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember_A59A7EB8693C0F9AEEF28E1E64AA6E94" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_2C1067B6F75BEB513EEC8E1E64AAC661" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_F8262BFA15C6CBA8705A8E1E64A9D17C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_2C1067B6F75BEB513EEC8E1E64AAC661" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_C8C99C1CFFF9170585918E1E64AAE6DA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_2C1067B6F75BEB513EEC8E1E64AAC661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_C8C99C1CFFF9170585918E1E64AAE6DA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_C8C99C1CFFF9170585918E1E64AAE6DA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_2C1067B6F75BEB513EEC8E1E64AAC661" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_C8C99C1CFFF9170585918E1E64AAE6DA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRightsGrantedMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRightsGrantedMember_B7AEF47A83B91C53E6098E1E64AAA483" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_C8C99C1CFFF9170585918E1E64AAE6DA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRightsGrantedMember_B7AEF47A83B91C53E6098E1E64AAA483" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsCurrent_AE1266831770B90851B08E1E64AAFBE5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_6E3AEFB03683E2276A5D8E1E64AA1D2E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsCurrent_AE1266831770B90851B08E1E64AAFBE5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_E76D130FEACF4680DA2C8E1E64AA44DB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_6E3AEFB03683E2276A5D8E1E64AA1D2E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_E76D130FEACF4680DA2C8E1E64AA44DB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments_62F0F791F5764B6A5CA38E1E64AA8B2E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_6E3AEFB03683E2276A5D8E1E64AA1D2E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostMethodInvestments_62F0F791F5764B6A5CA38E1E64AA8B2E" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesOilAndNaturalGasPropertiesCapitalizedInterestAndDebtIssuanceCostsDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedAggregateCapitalizedCostsRelatedToOilAndNaturalGasProductionActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedAverageFirstDayOfTheMonthPriceForOilNaturalGasAndNaturalGasLiquidsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AverageSalesPriceAndProductionCostsPerUnitOfProductionLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AverageSalesPriceAndProductionCostsPerUnitOfProductionLineItems_958E481C4DB657D6AD5BD5ED3747C281" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AverageSalesPriceAndProductionCostsPerUnitOfProductionTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AverageSalesPriceAndProductionCostsPerUnitOfProductionTable_D2E4C1338CE15B37850A7B29EC23619F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AverageSalesPriceAndProductionCostsPerUnitOfProductionLineItems_958E481C4DB657D6AD5BD5ED3747C281" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AverageSalesPriceAndProductionCostsPerUnitOfProductionTable_D2E4C1338CE15B37850A7B29EC23619F" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_34802CF78AFD5A7FAA43E503B6893BF3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AverageSalesPriceAndProductionCostsPerUnitOfProductionTable_D2E4C1338CE15B37850A7B29EC23619F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_34802CF78AFD5A7FAA43E503B6893BF3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_EE1AC984ECCD557D12A4A13DC97A944C_22A3E42A56AB591B8811BB1FA4313537" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_34802CF78AFD5A7FAA43E503B6893BF3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_EE1AC984ECCD557D12A4A13DC97A944C_22A3E42A56AB591B8811BB1FA4313537" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_B40DAB15D92B5FCDB0C5DAB5C44B99FC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_34802CF78AFD5A7FAA43E503B6893BF3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_B40DAB15D92B5FCDB0C5DAB5C44B99FC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OilReservesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OilReservesMember_504B571106CC5712AA61BE5584F0AD5F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_B40DAB15D92B5FCDB0C5DAB5C44B99FC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OilReservesMember_504B571106CC5712AA61BE5584F0AD5F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NaturalGasReservesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasReservesMember_BC165B7DF52E52FDBC2F4C620761E347" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_B40DAB15D92B5FCDB0C5DAB5C44B99FC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasReservesMember_BC165B7DF52E52FDBC2F4C620761E347" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NaturalGasLiquidsReservesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasLiquidsReservesMember_C2B414B9835452BC971DF1EAF2932946" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_B40DAB15D92B5FCDB0C5DAB5C44B99FC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasLiquidsReservesMember_C2B414B9835452BC971DF1EAF2932946" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AverageSalesPrices" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AverageSalesPrices_4395D33CB57153A0A8A543D5B8F08C31" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AverageSalesPriceAndProductionCostsPerUnitOfProductionLineItems_958E481C4DB657D6AD5BD5ED3747C281" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AverageSalesPrices_4395D33CB57153A0A8A543D5B8F08C31" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedChangesInEstimatedProvedReservesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedOilAndGasReserveQuantitiesTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedOilAndGasReserveQuantitiesTable_E03B419F4F709F06963042879CBC3E4D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedOilAndGasReserveQuantitiesTable_E03B419F4F709F06963042879CBC3E4D" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_1B746C52AB43B2704B2342879CBC9A4D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedOilAndGasReserveQuantitiesTable_E03B419F4F709F06963042879CBC3E4D" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_1B746C52AB43B2704B2342879CBC9A4D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_F73DB3A8C1736679D9DF42879CBCFB44_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_1B746C52AB43B2704B2342879CBC9A4D" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_F73DB3A8C1736679D9DF42879CBCFB44_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_F73DB3A8C1736679D9DF42879CBCFB44" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_1B746C52AB43B2704B2342879CBC9A4D" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_F73DB3A8C1736679D9DF42879CBCFB44" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member" xlink:label="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member_F3BAF84D334C7B76D75442879CBCE770" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_F73DB3A8C1736679D9DF42879CBCFB44" xlink:to="loc_vnom_DiamondbackEnergyInc.Member_F3BAF84D334C7B76D75442879CBCE770" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_43606A8837B90D2D98D642879CBC5110" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedOilAndGasReserveQuantitiesTable_E03B419F4F709F06963042879CBC3E4D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_43606A8837B90D2D98D642879CBC5110" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_9E7FF6C20E907D9A2AF242879CBC8F78_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_43606A8837B90D2D98D642879CBC5110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_9E7FF6C20E907D9A2AF242879CBC8F78_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_9E7FF6C20E907D9A2AF242879CBC8F78" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_43606A8837B90D2D98D642879CBC5110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_9E7FF6C20E907D9A2AF242879CBC8F78" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OilReservesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OilReservesMember_C23D20FB9BEE97EFB5B042879CBCD287" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_9E7FF6C20E907D9A2AF242879CBC8F78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OilReservesMember_C23D20FB9BEE97EFB5B042879CBCD287" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NaturalGasLiquidsReservesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasLiquidsReservesMember_2BC74CFA888CB02FA7F342879CBC573A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_9E7FF6C20E907D9A2AF242879CBC8F78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasLiquidsReservesMember_2BC74CFA888CB02FA7F342879CBC573A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NaturalGasReservesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasReservesMember_9AFCD498F8977B0A795242879CBC048B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfReserveDomain_9E7FF6C20E907D9A2AF242879CBC8F78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasReservesMember_9AFCD498F8977B0A795242879CBC048B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesNet_EBED39EED501DEFFC7FB42879CBDF366" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesNet_EBED39EED501DEFFC7FB42879CBDF366" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesPurchasesOfMineralsInPlace" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesPurchasesOfMineralsInPlace_5F032F8DF0FD96DA608842879CBD315D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesPurchasesOfMineralsInPlace_5F032F8DF0FD96DA608842879CBD315D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesExtensionsDiscoveriesAndAdditions" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesExtensionsDiscoveriesAndAdditions_962238D31891BBDC75C542879CBD87A0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesExtensionsDiscoveriesAndAdditions_962238D31891BBDC75C542879CBD87A0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesRevisionsOfPreviousEstimatesIncreaseDecrease" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesRevisionsOfPreviousEstimatesIncreaseDecrease_218507E5536E985BC22842879CBD48BA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesRevisionsOfPreviousEstimatesIncreaseDecrease_218507E5536E985BC22842879CBD48BA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesProduction" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesProduction_F307FD867074F5DB24DF42879CBDB9C7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedAndUndevelopedReservesProduction_F307FD867074F5DB24DF42879CBDB9C7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedReservesVolume" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedReservesVolume_451ABC53DFC5FAA5EEC242879CBDF809" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvedDevelopedReservesVolume_451ABC53DFC5FAA5EEC242879CBDF809" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvedUndevelopedReserveVolume" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvedUndevelopedReserveVolume_E2DAD950545CF92BB93042879CBD1FB4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvedUndevelopedReserveVolume_E2DAD950545CF92BB93042879CBD1FB4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DevelopmentWellsDrilledNetProductive" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DevelopmentWellsDrilledNetProductive_00F86588ACFD2D6225BB42A2F42EF415" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DevelopmentWellsDrilledNetProductive_00F86588ACFD2D6225BB42A2F42EF415" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesNumberofWellsAdded" xlink:label="loc_vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesNumberofWellsAdded_0BC05C6F5E012751C056429B16287EB3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesNumberofWellsAdded_0BC05C6F5E012751C056429B16287EB3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_NumberofDevelopedWellsWorkingInterest" xlink:label="loc_vnom_NumberofDevelopedWellsWorkingInterest_613FDE14AE838E0FDBE942879CBDBBA0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_NumberofDevelopedWellsWorkingInterest_613FDE14AE838E0FDBE942879CBDBBA0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_OilandGasAcquisitionNumberofExistingVerticalWells" xlink:label="loc_vnom_OilandGasAcquisitionNumberofExistingVerticalWells_244C3F45F007090596B042879CBD93C9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_OilandGasAcquisitionNumberofExistingVerticalWells_244C3F45F007090596B042879CBD93C9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_NumberofWellsOperatedbyOthers" xlink:label="loc_vnom_NumberofWellsOperatedbyOthers_0AB3492F032B51F2C4DD42879CBDF5F2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_NumberofWellsOperatedbyOthers_0AB3492F032B51F2C4DD42879CBDF5F2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_NumberofOilandGasAcquisitions" xlink:label="loc_vnom_NumberofOilandGasAcquisitions_C0A5ED38663641DD95A242879CBD8DA1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_NumberofOilandGasAcquisitions_C0A5ED38663641DD95A242879CBD8DA1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_OilandGasAcquisitionNumberofExistingHorizontalWells" xlink:label="loc_vnom_OilandGasAcquisitionNumberofExistingHorizontalWells_F3F1DA8501F109B97D7942879CBD27A6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="15" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_OilandGasAcquisitionNumberofExistingHorizontalWells_F3F1DA8501F109B97D7942879CBD27A6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_NumberofVerticalWellsDevelopedWorkingInterest" xlink:label="loc_vnom_NumberofVerticalWellsDevelopedWorkingInterest_AE30EB53A76B9144827D42879CBD64A3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="16" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_NumberofVerticalWellsDevelopedWorkingInterest_AE30EB53A76B9144827D42879CBD64A3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_NumberofHorizontalWellsDevelopedWorkingInterest" xlink:label="loc_vnom_NumberofHorizontalWellsDevelopedWorkingInterest_7946AB750FC686B02B9142879CBD8FCA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="17" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_NumberofHorizontalWellsDevelopedWorkingInterest_7946AB750FC686B02B9142879CBD8FCA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesNumberofWellsDowngraded" xlink:label="loc_vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesNumberofWellsDowngraded_A254131AE8AD4245BA3E42879CBD2E7A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="18" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesNumberofWellsDowngraded_A254131AE8AD4245BA3E42879CBD2E7A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesHorizontalWellsDowngradedWorkingInterest" xlink:label="loc_vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesHorizontalWellsDowngradedWorkingInterest_45788CCAD24603EC5CE542879CBDFE48" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="19" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesHorizontalWellsDowngradedWorkingInterest_45788CCAD24603EC5CE542879CBDFE48" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesVerticalWellsDowngradedWorkingInterest" xlink:label="loc_vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesVerticalWellsDowngradedWorkingInterest_77595A8E567A18FB636842879CBE73BC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="20" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesVerticalWellsDowngradedWorkingInterest_77595A8E567A18FB636842879CBE73BC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="vnom-20161231.xsd#vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesPlannedDevelopmentPeriod" xlink:label="loc_vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesPlannedDevelopmentPeriod_358DC966FAA7A27CB9DE42879CBEF580" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="21" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReserveQuantitiesLineItems_96080CFBADC3BE79947742879CBD02BD" xlink:to="loc_vnom_ProvedUndevelopedReservesPlannedDevelopmentPeriod_358DC966FAA7A27CB9DE42879CBEF580" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedCostsIncurredInCrudeOilAndNaturalGasActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedPrincipalChangesInStandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowsDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedResultsOfOperationFromOilAndNaturalGasProducingActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedStandardizedMeasureOfDiscountedFutureNetCashFlowsDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/SupplementalInformationOnOilAndNaturalGasOperationsUnauditedTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensationAdditionalDisclosuresDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_02D77252D6797FBD2CA48E63D53362A2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0B5AC37F522B45A110C48E63D533F9AD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_02D77252D6797FBD2CA48E63D53362A2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0B5AC37F522B45A110C48E63D533F9AD" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_FC3598FCA64487C3DF818E63D533C754" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0B5AC37F522B45A110C48E63D533F9AD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_FC3598FCA64487C3DF818E63D533C754" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_BBDC0624EC90DA7F866D8E63D5336217_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_FC3598FCA64487C3DF818E63D533C754" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_BBDC0624EC90DA7F866D8E63D5336217_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_BBDC0624EC90DA7F866D8E63D5336217" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_FC3598FCA64487C3DF818E63D533C754" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_BBDC0624EC90DA7F866D8E63D5336217" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_A772335F15339223D10E8E63D533500C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_BBDC0624EC90DA7F866D8E63D5336217" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_A772335F15339223D10E8E63D533500C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_9783B3026627DD4FCB0C8E63D53380F7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_02D77252D6797FBD2CA48E63D53362A2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_9783B3026627DD4FCB0C8E63D53380F7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_314DF02153B45DE4DD848E63D5332278" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_02D77252D6797FBD2CA48E63D53362A2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_314DF02153B45DE4DD848E63D5332278" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_2203D6BCEDC2DDFB7FC98E63D5334DF0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_02D77252D6797FBD2CA48E63D53362A2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_2203D6BCEDC2DDFB7FC98E63D5334DF0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_AB6A4291C6D2CABAD9CE8E63D533DD64" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_02D77252D6797FBD2CA48E63D53362A2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_AB6A4291C6D2CABAD9CE8E63D533DD64" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensationPhantomUnitsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4D862416BB52D1709D34439FCD951D68" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_C0CD7AAFC8F6DC2F717F439FCD944C60" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4D862416BB52D1709D34439FCD951D68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_C0CD7AAFC8F6DC2F717F439FCD944C60" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_30A2AC17585AC06E5B2A439FCD9447FA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_C0CD7AAFC8F6DC2F717F439FCD944C60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_30A2AC17585AC06E5B2A439FCD9447FA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_F7EE0E789D5ABE4004F1439FCD942517_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_30A2AC17585AC06E5B2A439FCD9447FA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_F7EE0E789D5ABE4004F1439FCD942517_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_F7EE0E789D5ABE4004F1439FCD942517" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_30A2AC17585AC06E5B2A439FCD9447FA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_F7EE0E789D5ABE4004F1439FCD942517" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PhantomShareUnitsPSUsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PhantomShareUnitsPSUsMember_4B15046F36E500D61259439FCD955015" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_F7EE0E789D5ABE4004F1439FCD942517" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PhantomShareUnitsPSUsMember_4B15046F36E500D61259439FCD955015" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_91642E49D5187A25A923439FCD95057C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4D862416BB52D1709D34439FCD951D68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_91642E49D5187A25A923439FCD95057C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_8C1557D23E951F53BDA7439FCD958A2F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_91642E49D5187A25A923439FCD95057C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_8C1557D23E951F53BDA7439FCD958A2F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_CDFBDCEDFE0C13FD8DEB439FCD953A3D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_91642E49D5187A25A923439FCD95057C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_CDFBDCEDFE0C13FD8DEB439FCD953A3D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_9C36B80082F70FB7AA69439FCD9555B0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_91642E49D5187A25A923439FCD95057C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_9C36B80082F70FB7AA69439FCD9555B0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_33571B4FDE3E778D5A84439FCD95D255" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_91642E49D5187A25A923439FCD95057C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_33571B4FDE3E778D5A84439FCD95D255" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_CEDFE0DFF389E6ADF2F4439FCD95B5AA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4D862416BB52D1709D34439FCD951D68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_CEDFE0DFF389E6ADF2F4439FCD95B5AA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1F6DB0C1121006529C2B439FCD95C250" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_CEDFE0DFF389E6ADF2F4439FCD95B5AA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1F6DB0C1121006529C2B439FCD95C250" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_181824452D9776BF3320439FCD9588B6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_CEDFE0DFF389E6ADF2F4439FCD95B5AA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_181824452D9776BF3320439FCD9588B6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_5C5B7E62974043ECC9D3439FCD9505AE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_CEDFE0DFF389E6ADF2F4439FCD95B5AA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_5C5B7E62974043ECC9D3439FCD9505AE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4F114D94867B8E71A451439FCD95244A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_CEDFE0DFF389E6ADF2F4439FCD95B5AA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4F114D94867B8E71A451439FCD95244A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_45BF8F01F15FF9910B08439FCD952A7A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4D862416BB52D1709D34439FCD951D68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_45BF8F01F15FF9910B08439FCD952A7A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_19BAB439B8ABBBFF49F2439FCD95EAE0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4D862416BB52D1709D34439FCD951D68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_19BAB439B8ABBBFF49F2439FCD95EAE0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_F217F6891B225D4363FF439FCD95E5EC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4D862416BB52D1709D34439FCD951D68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_F217F6891B225D4363FF439FCD95E5EC" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensationUnitOptionActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6623EF66D84C7202707542879CEB122C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6623EF66D84C7202707542879CEB122C" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4C708A961D698354073442879CEB5385" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6623EF66D84C7202707542879CEB122C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4C708A961D698354073442879CEB5385" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2AE019EAD45799B3846242879CEBB6F7_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4C708A961D698354073442879CEB5385" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2AE019EAD45799B3846242879CEBB6F7_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2AE019EAD45799B3846242879CEBB6F7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4C708A961D698354073442879CEB5385" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2AE019EAD45799B3846242879CEBB6F7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_18A5A5745E323A49F15442879CECE644" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2AE019EAD45799B3846242879CEBB6F7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_18A5A5745E323A49F15442879CECE644" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_497F2A8F3EBB7507F17F42879CECB4DE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_497F2A8F3EBB7507F17F42879CECB4DE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_38EA0F2EAE139104DFBF42879CECCB8B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_497F2A8F3EBB7507F17F42879CECB4DE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_38EA0F2EAE139104DFBF42879CECCB8B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_367B9B3C5BB6AD55834542879CEC4A35" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_497F2A8F3EBB7507F17F42879CECB4DE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_367B9B3C5BB6AD55834542879CEC4A35" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod_FBD1CAF6501001B0378E42879CEC397F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_497F2A8F3EBB7507F17F42879CECB4DE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod_FBD1CAF6501001B0378E42879CEC397F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber_B94555232843008C4C3642879CECB678" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber_B94555232843008C4C3642879CECB678" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_AEEA06A31D0FC38F18B342879CEC352E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_AEEA06A31D0FC38F18B342879CEC352E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_7C566480F31C209234E842879CEC3CF1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_7C566480F31C209234E842879CEC3CF1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_59A374CF891CE3554ACC42879CECAFB4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_7C566480F31C209234E842879CEC3CF1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_59A374CF891CE3554ACC42879CECAFB4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_3DF5FFAB89E489BF750242879CEC338A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_7C566480F31C209234E842879CEC3CF1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_3DF5FFAB89E489BF750242879CEC338A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_CA1F05C61213F428488A42879CECEE9F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_7C566480F31C209234E842879CEC3CF1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_CA1F05C61213F428488A42879CECEE9F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_6AF4B3D79B00B9B737D142879CEDD7BA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_6AF4B3D79B00B9B737D142879CEDD7BA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_5E296805400F8683F6D142879CED98DE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_5E296805400F8683F6D142879CED98DE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_09EB60B52338EDADBFA942879CEDA92D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_09EB60B52338EDADBFA942879CEDA92D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_AD4A777C97CCD14C8ECA42879CED9D3B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_AD4A777C97CCD14C8ECA42879CED9D3B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_40E0B7280516DF9EBD1D42879CED8198" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_40E0B7280516DF9EBD1D42879CED8198" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue_14FED498D7E93093E1F842879CEDA0CE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue_14FED498D7E93093E1F842879CEDA0CE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue_D64EB4AB83A7D9D328F142879CED806B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue_D64EB4AB83A7D9D328F142879CED806B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1_A4C76D4704E1695BFED042879CEDDFAE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1_A4C76D4704E1695BFED042879CEDDFAE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions_923C4A62C6B021441F6F42879CED9E87" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions_923C4A62C6B021441F6F42879CED9E87" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_3330E88F4359FC5FC74A42879CEDF4C2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0EF5A8F41760929CE44B42879CECEB89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_3330E88F4359FC5FC74A42879CEDF4C2" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.diamondbackenergy.com/role/UnitBasedCompensationValuationAssumptionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_FFE38D60BD2A5789B914E2D0944275C3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_B5C7A5F9692F54C08607CBDE63F09B90" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_FFE38D60BD2A5789B914E2D0944275C3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_B5C7A5F9692F54C08607CBDE63F09B90" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_65541FE4DFB35CE092C570095511D9DA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_B5C7A5F9692F54C08607CBDE63F09B90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_65541FE4DFB35CE092C570095511D9DA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_EEE6D1A0543A5A17E460A13DC9931323_22A3E42A56AB591B8811BB1FA4313537" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_65541FE4DFB35CE092C570095511D9DA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_EEE6D1A0543A5A17E460A13DC9931323_22A3E42A56AB591B8811BB1FA4313537" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_23B48235A4A25AD5BE6C524FB91D1DE8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_65541FE4DFB35CE092C570095511D9DA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_23B48235A4A25AD5BE6C524FB91D1DE8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_24BC15EF108A5BAAB56B6DAB695A8DEC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_23B48235A4A25AD5BE6C524FB91D1DE8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_24BC15EF108A5BAAB56B6DAB695A8DEC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_B801B29960A95D05A2AF23414BE142D8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_FFE38D60BD2A5789B914E2D0944275C3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_B801B29960A95D05A2AF23414BE142D8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_5B5C159B40ED59B894FC0E84498466FA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_FFE38D60BD2A5789B914E2D0944275C3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_5B5C159B40ED59B894FC0E84498466FA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_1BBED8A3D50C58AC89B20F1231331CCD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_FFE38D60BD2A5789B914E2D0944275C3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_1BBED8A3D50C58AC89B20F1231331CCD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_6EDC399F46CB51E7BBD160E2E87CCE4D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_FFE38D60BD2A5789B914E2D0944275C3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_6EDC399F46CB51E7BBD160E2E87CCE4D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_040CF5908D2D58278EC20BF960E618B7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_FFE38D60BD2A5789B914E2D0944275C3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_040CF5908D2D58278EC20BF960E618B7" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
</linkbase>
