<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?>
<!--XBRL document created with Merrill Bridge  8.1.0.105 -->
<!--Based on XBRL 2.1-->
<!--Created on: 9/6/2018 8:34:46 AM-->
<!--Modified on: 9/6/2018 8:34:46 AM-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#DisclosureEarningsPerShareDetails" roleURI="http://www.cititrends.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#DisclosureFairValueMeasurementSecuritiesCarriedAtAmortizedCostPlusAccruedInterestDetails" roleURI="http://www.cititrends.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementSecuritiesCarriedAtAmortizedCostPlusAccruedInterestDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#DisclosureRevolvingLineOfCreditDetails" roleURI="http://www.cititrends.com/role/DisclosureRevolvingLineOfCreditDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#DisclosureStockRepurchaseProgramAndCashDividendsDetails" roleURI="http://www.cititrends.com/role/DisclosureStockRepurchaseProgramAndCashDividendsDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#DisclosureRevenueDetails" roleURI="http://www.cititrends.com/role/DisclosureRevenueDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.cititrends.com/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40401 - Disclosure - Earnings per Share (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic" xlink:label="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToVestingOfNonvestedRestrictedStock" xlink:label="ctrn_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToVestingOfNonvestedRestrictedStock" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract" xlink:to="ctrn_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToVestingOfNonvestedRestrictedStock" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.cititrends.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementSecuritiesCarriedAtAmortizedCostPlusAccruedInterestDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40501 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurement - Securities Carried at Amortized Cost Plus Accrued Interest (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_LongTermInvestmentsMember" xlink:label="ctrn_LongTermInvestmentsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="ctrn_LongTermInvestmentsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities" xlink:label="us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGain" xlink:label="us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGain" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLoss" xlink:label="us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLoss" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLoss" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.cititrends.com/role/DisclosureRevolvingLineOfCreditDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40701 - Disclosure - Revolving Line of Credit (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_AmendmentToCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="ctrn_AmendmentToCreditFacilityMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_AmendmentToCreditFacilityMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseAxis" xlink:label="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" xlink:to="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseDomain" xlink:label="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseAxis" xlink:to="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseDomain" xlink:label="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseDomain_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseAxis" xlink:to="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseDomain_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseLIBORMember" xlink:label="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseLIBORMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseLIBORMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRatePrimeRateMember" xlink:label="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRatePrimeRateMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRatePrimeRateMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseFederalFundsRateMember" xlink:label="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseFederalFundsRateMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBaseFederalFundsRateMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsAxis" xlink:label="ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" xlink:to="ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsDomain" xlink:label="ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsAxis" xlink:to="ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsDomain" xlink:label="ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsDomain_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsAxis" xlink:to="ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsDomain_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_LIBORRateLoansMember" xlink:label="ctrn_LIBORRateLoansMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_LIBORRateLoansMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_BaseRateLoansMember" xlink:label="ctrn_BaseRateLoansMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="ctrn_DebtInstrumentTypeOfBorrowingsDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_BaseRateLoansMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeMember_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeMember_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_MinimumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MinimumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_MaximumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MaximumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityTerm" xlink:label="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityTerm" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityTerm" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionBorrowingCapacity" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionBorrowingCapacity" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionExpansionMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionExpansionMaximumBorrowingCapacity" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionExpansionMaximumBorrowingCapacity" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_DebtInstrumentNumberOfCovenants" xlink:label="ctrn_DebtInstrumentNumberOfCovenants" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="8" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="ctrn_DebtInstrumentNumberOfCovenants" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="9" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsAmountOutstandingPriorToCashDividendPaymentWithInSpecifiedPeriod" xlink:label="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsAmountOutstandingPriorToCashDividendPaymentWithInSpecifiedPeriod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="10" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsAmountOutstandingPriorToCashDividendPaymentWithInSpecifiedPeriod" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsPeriodPriorToCashDividendPaymentWithNoOutstandingBorrowings" xlink:label="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsPeriodPriorToCashDividendPaymentWithNoOutstandingBorrowings" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="11" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsPeriodPriorToCashDividendPaymentWithNoOutstandingBorrowings" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsExpectedBorrowingsSubsequentToCashDividendPaymentWithInSpecifiedPeriod" xlink:label="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsExpectedBorrowingsSubsequentToCashDividendPaymentWithInSpecifiedPeriod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="12" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsExpectedBorrowingsSubsequentToCashDividendPaymentWithInSpecifiedPeriod" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsPeriodSubsequentToCashDividendPaymentWithNoBorrowingsExpected" xlink:label="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsPeriodSubsequentToCashDividendPaymentWithNoBorrowingsExpected" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="13" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="ctrn_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantsPeriodSubsequentToCashDividendPaymentWithNoBorrowingsExpected" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCredit" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="14" xlink:from="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCredit" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.cititrends.com/role/DisclosureStockRepurchaseProgramAndCashDividendsDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41101 - Disclosure - Stock Repurchase Program and Cash Dividends (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_RepurchasesOfCommonStockMember" xlink:label="ctrn_RepurchasesOfCommonStockMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_RepurchasesOfCommonStockMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.cititrends.com/role/DisclosureRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41301 - Disclosure - Revenue (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_AccessoriesMember" xlink:label="ctrn_AccessoriesMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_AccessoriesMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_LadiesApparelMember" xlink:label="ctrn_LadiesApparelMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_LadiesApparelMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_ChildrensApparelMember" xlink:label="ctrn_ChildrensApparelMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_ChildrensApparelMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_MensApparelMember" xlink:label="ctrn_MensApparelMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_MensApparelMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_HomeDecorMember" xlink:label="ctrn_HomeDecorMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="ctrn_HomeDecorMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain_636718196860391307" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain_636718196860391307" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CalculatedUnderRevenueGuidanceInEffectBeforeTopic606Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_CalculatedUnderRevenueGuidanceInEffectBeforeTopic606Member" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_CalculatedUnderRevenueGuidanceInEffectBeforeTopic606Member" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_RangeMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RangeMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_MaximumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_MaximumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_PeriodCustomersCanReturnMerchandise" xlink:label="ctrn_PeriodCustomersCanReturnMerchandise" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" xlink:to="ctrn_PeriodCustomersCanReturnMerchandise" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerRefundLiabilityCurrent" xlink:label="us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerRefundLiabilityCurrent" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerRefundLiabilityCurrent" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerRightToRecoverProductCurrent" xlink:label="us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerRightToRecoverProductCurrent" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerRightToRecoverProductCurrent" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ctrn-20180804.xsd#ctrn_PercentageRevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax" xlink:label="ctrn_PercentageRevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueInitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionLineItems" xlink:to="ctrn_PercentageRevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
