<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!-- -->
<link:linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns:link="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">
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/BasisOfPresentation" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#BasisOfPresentation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/BasisOfPresentationNarrativeDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#BasisOfPresentationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/BasisOfPresentationPolicies" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#BasisOfPresentationPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingenciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveEarnings" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveEarnings" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfEarnings" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfEarnings" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityParenthetical" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/DebtAndCreditFacilities" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#DebtAndCreditFacilities" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/DebtAndCreditFacilitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#DebtAndCreditFacilitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/DebtAndCreditFacilitiesSummaryOfLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#DebtAndCreditFacilitiesSummaryOfLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/DebtAndCreditFacilitiesTables" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#DebtAndCreditFacilitiesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/EarningsPerShareComputationOfEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#EarningsPerShareComputationOfEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsSummaryOfCarryingValueAndFairValueEstimateOfLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsSummaryOfCarryingValueAndFairValueEstimateOfLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/SegmentReporting" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#SegmentReporting" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/SegmentReportingInformationByReportableSegmentDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#SegmentReportingInformationByReportableSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/SegmentReportingSummaryOfNetSalesWithinReportableSegmentsDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#SegmentReportingSummaryOfNetSalesWithinReportableSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/SegmentReportingTables" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#SegmentReportingTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/ShareholdersEquity" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#ShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/StockBasedCompensation" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#StockBasedCompensation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/StockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#StockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryOfGrantsDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#StockBasedCompensationSummaryOfGrantsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryOfStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#StockBasedCompensationSummaryOfStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables" xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#StockBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link: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" />
  <link: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" />
  <link: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" />
  <link: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" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/BasisOfPresentation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/BasisOfPresentationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_NatureOfRetailOperationsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_jwn_NatureOfRetailOperationsLineItems_1CA579A6B9F3D5C97D8529ADC399311B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_E2E593986F53F665A7C429ADC3980710" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_jwn_NatureOfRetailOperationsLineItems_1CA579A6B9F3D5C97D8529ADC399311B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_E2E593986F53F665A7C429ADC3980710" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_5BA223DF01374891640329ADC3991062" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_E2E593986F53F665A7C429ADC3980710" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_5BA223DF01374891640329ADC3991062" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_FD3802733D3FFF73EEB129ADC399B978_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_5BA223DF01374891640329ADC3991062" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_FD3802733D3FFF73EEB129ADC399B978_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_FD3802733D3FFF73EEB129ADC399B978" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_5BA223DF01374891640329ADC3991062" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_FD3802733D3FFF73EEB129ADC399B978" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201609Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201609Member_B283505AD63D35F174D529ADC399CA73" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_FD3802733D3FFF73EEB129ADC399B978" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201609Member_B283505AD63D35F174D529ADC399CA73" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivablesHeldForSaleAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesHeldForSaleAmount_A00D4B8E9522DB44A8D929ADC399EEBC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_jwn_NatureOfRetailOperationsLineItems_1CA579A6B9F3D5C97D8529ADC399311B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesHeldForSaleAmount_A00D4B8E9522DB44A8D929ADC399EEBC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationOperatingActivities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationOperatingActivities_D0B7F25670CB80DCAC1F29ADC39973A0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_jwn_NatureOfRetailOperationsLineItems_1CA579A6B9F3D5C97D8529ADC399311B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationOperatingActivities_D0B7F25670CB80DCAC1F29ADC39973A0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities_B63FF1C134686A57FD9229ADC3998756" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_jwn_NatureOfRetailOperationsLineItems_1CA579A6B9F3D5C97D8529ADC399311B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExcessTaxBenefitFromShareBasedCompensationFinancingActivities_B63FF1C134686A57FD9229ADC3998756" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInEmployeeRelatedLiabilities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInEmployeeRelatedLiabilities_EC8BA246618C457100C529ADC3996150" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_jwn_NatureOfRetailOperationsLineItems_1CA579A6B9F3D5C97D8529ADC399311B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInEmployeeRelatedLiabilities_EC8BA246618C457100C529ADC3996150" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_6733B224CA948E561B6B29ADC399A6A8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_jwn_NatureOfRetailOperationsLineItems_1CA579A6B9F3D5C97D8529ADC399311B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_6733B224CA948E561B6B29ADC399A6A8" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/BasisOfPresentationPolicies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_3DC343C5D8EBC840F13B2B044C6752F5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_917D3DD519B4F4605DD42B044C664759" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_3DC343C5D8EBC840F13B2B044C6752F5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_917D3DD519B4F4605DD42B044C664759" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_ACE19F96D87FAD8BAE1E2B044C6685DD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_917D3DD519B4F4605DD42B044C664759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_ACE19F96D87FAD8BAE1E2B044C6685DD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain_000CF2B7449F377EFF412B044C6612C4_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_ACE19F96D87FAD8BAE1E2B044C6685DD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain_000CF2B7449F377EFF412B044C6612C4_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain_000CF2B7449F377EFF412B044C6612C4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_ACE19F96D87FAD8BAE1E2B044C6685DD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain_000CF2B7449F377EFF412B044C6612C4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_ManhattanFulllineStoreMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_ManhattanFulllineStoreMember_CD1D4F83BEEE1A153DEE2B044C665A9E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain_000CF2B7449F377EFF412B044C6612C4" xlink:to="loc_jwn_ManhattanFulllineStoreMember_CD1D4F83BEEE1A153DEE2B044C665A9E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_AmountOfPropertyAssetsSubjectToLien" xlink:label="loc_jwn_AmountOfPropertyAssetsSubjectToLien_0B375BF8F04BCD735F8A2B044C67F202" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_3DC343C5D8EBC840F13B2B044C6752F5" xlink:to="loc_jwn_AmountOfPropertyAssetsSubjectToLien_0B375BF8F04BCD735F8A2B044C67F202" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveEarnings" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfEarnings" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_50A7803834B7BF9115D40AFC839BC1EA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_EE0F9FF4CB292162C56C0AFC839AA5F7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_50A7803834B7BF9115D40AFC839BC1EA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_EE0F9FF4CB292162C56C0AFC839AA5F7" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_FB5C82DA75E18574137A0AFC839A4CC6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_EE0F9FF4CB292162C56C0AFC839AA5F7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_FB5C82DA75E18574137A0AFC839A4CC6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_7EBF479D2EBF54318DDB0AFC839ADA00_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_FB5C82DA75E18574137A0AFC839A4CC6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_7EBF479D2EBF54318DDB0AFC839ADA00_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_7EBF479D2EBF54318DDB0AFC839ADA00" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_FB5C82DA75E18574137A0AFC839A4CC6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_7EBF479D2EBF54318DDB0AFC839ADA00" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_C5BE4456ADCA0B989EFA0AFC839BD6C6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_7EBF479D2EBF54318DDB0AFC839ADA00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_C5BE4456ADCA0B989EFA0AFC839BD6C6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_BAF47F3D23C52D51FBBA0AFC839B229F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_7EBF479D2EBF54318DDB0AFC839ADA00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_BAF47F3D23C52D51FBBA0AFC839B229F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_80D6BB70225669B9D9020AFC839B8205" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_7EBF479D2EBF54318DDB0AFC839ADA00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_80D6BB70225669B9D9020AFC839B8205" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_50A7803834B7BF9115D40AFC839BC1EA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_5C2C8E0CED3008C8BF9F0AFC83A02A37" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_5C2C8E0CED3008C8BF9F0AFC83A02A37" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_F33E119A6F2C56076D530AFC83A0672E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_F33E119A6F2C56076D530AFC83A0672E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_756DD93AD6D0196BAD690AFC83A00C3B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_756DD93AD6D0196BAD690AFC83A00C3B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_B0432EF66819F02BA8980AFC83A1BC5D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_B0432EF66819F02BA8980AFC83A1BC5D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCash" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCash_3984F0C0BC93C6FA59CF0AFC83A1910E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCash_3984F0C0BC93C6FA59CF0AFC83A1910E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_3268BCB3200D415D99F00AFC83A10CE4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_3268BCB3200D415D99F00AFC83A10CE4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_25E720030D354D0B2C890AFC83A16BB4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_25E720030D354D0B2C890AFC83A16BB4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_2005CD19B2573F5D86990AFC83A1895A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_2005CD19B2573F5D86990AFC83A1895A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_StockBasedCompensationShares" xlink:label="loc_jwn_StockBasedCompensationShares_212AA5E2F86AC53138020AFC83A1EE22" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:to="loc_jwn_StockBasedCompensationShares_212AA5E2F86AC53138020AFC83A1EE22" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_7A8A95B4A9D2CBA73FA20AFC83A16C41" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_7A8A95B4A9D2CBA73FA20AFC83A16C41" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_4E746703CEEC4C84D40A0AFC83A19C55" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_FE158D53F1DE9D29EDB00AFC839BB197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_4E746703CEEC4C84D40A0AFC83A19C55" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/DebtAndCreditFacilities" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/DebtAndCreditFacilitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_AE09E924A12D958AB94C15A2F15E92A5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_AE09E924A12D958AB94C15A2F15E92A5" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_72666D498D3F99B4878415A2F15EEA07" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_AE09E924A12D958AB94C15A2F15E92A5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_72666D498D3F99B4878415A2F15EEA07" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_EE19CC84664156B42F2215A2F15EB954_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_72666D498D3F99B4878415A2F15EEA07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_EE19CC84664156B42F2215A2F15EB954_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_EE19CC84664156B42F2215A2F15EB954" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_72666D498D3F99B4878415A2F15EEA07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_EE19CC84664156B42F2215A2F15EB954" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_SeniorNotes400PercentDueMarch2027Member" xlink:label="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes400PercentDueMarch2027Member_E0C77E9BBD91D3ACEC8415A2F15EF811" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_EE19CC84664156B42F2215A2F15EB954" xlink:to="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes400PercentDueMarch2027Member_E0C77E9BBD91D3ACEC8415A2F15EF811" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_SeniorNotes500PercentDueJanuary2044NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes500PercentDueJanuary2044NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_6BA726A6508151B7029415A2F15E1E19" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_EE19CC84664156B42F2215A2F15EB954" xlink:to="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes500PercentDueJanuary2044NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_6BA726A6508151B7029415A2F15E1E19" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_SeniorNotes625PercentDueJanuary2018NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes625PercentDueJanuary2018NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_2BFE909A5D44D0CB49E515A2F15E06A7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_EE19CC84664156B42F2215A2F15EB954" xlink:to="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes625PercentDueJanuary2018NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_2BFE909A5D44D0CB49E515A2F15E06A7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_8C5BEB83AF2B7E2875F115A2F15E0E9A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_EE19CC84664156B42F2215A2F15EB954" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_8C5BEB83AF2B7E2875F115A2F15E0E9A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtConversionByUniqueDescriptionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionByUniqueDescriptionAxis_BABA68FAFC8BF7E2BB2315A2F15E3353" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_AE09E924A12D958AB94C15A2F15E92A5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionByUniqueDescriptionAxis_BABA68FAFC8BF7E2BB2315A2F15E3353" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtConversionNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionNameDomain_B0295B17944DCCB410EF15A2F15E9819_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionByUniqueDescriptionAxis_BABA68FAFC8BF7E2BB2315A2F15E3353" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionNameDomain_B0295B17944DCCB410EF15A2F15E9819_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtConversionNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionNameDomain_B0295B17944DCCB410EF15A2F15E9819" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionByUniqueDescriptionAxis_BABA68FAFC8BF7E2BB2315A2F15E3353" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionNameDomain_B0295B17944DCCB410EF15A2F15E9819" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_A2017RefinancingMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_A2017RefinancingMember_A0732837D1B0B0DAD3B815A2F15F98F0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionNameDomain_B0295B17944DCCB410EF15A2F15E9819" xlink:to="loc_jwn_A2017RefinancingMember_A0732837D1B0B0DAD3B815A2F15F98F0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_A96B39C744B3BFB670C415A2F15F2C63" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_AE09E924A12D958AB94C15A2F15E92A5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_A96B39C744B3BFB670C415A2F15F2C63" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_90077EF2AA1DC29B723A15A2F15F4834_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_A96B39C744B3BFB670C415A2F15F2C63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_90077EF2AA1DC29B723A15A2F15F4834_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_90077EF2AA1DC29B723A15A2F15F4834" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_A96B39C744B3BFB670C415A2F15F2C63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_90077EF2AA1DC29B723A15A2F15F4834" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_DEB8834FD764297FD29E15A2F15FF87B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_90077EF2AA1DC29B723A15A2F15F4834" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_DEB8834FD764297FD29E15A2F15FF87B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt_23CD161DD3C798113F5415A2F15FE43F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt_23CD161DD3C798113F5415A2F15FE43F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_24B2C903CEEA75824F7715A2F15F1E9E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_24B2C903CEEA75824F7715A2F15F1E9E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateDescription" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateDescription_8120ACD457AC4F8EA85615A2F15F6E9F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateDescription_8120ACD457AC4F8EA85615A2F15F6E9F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_19E12D9BBE0762C0599415A2F15F5AA8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_19E12D9BBE0762C0599415A2F15F5AA8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_FAC76EFB7E8952CF055B15A2F15F5922" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_FAC76EFB7E8952CF055B15A2F15F5922" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPaidNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_90985629C5D70DBDA4F115A2F15F077F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_90985629C5D70DBDA4F115A2F15F077F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_1F3218F08CE132D34A8015A2F15F3710" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_1F3218F08CE132D34A8015A2F15F3710" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_RevolvingCreditFacilityOptionToIncreaseMaximumAmount" xlink:label="loc_jwn_RevolvingCreditFacilityOptionToIncreaseMaximumAmount_5DC69AC4577538B424F015A2F160A35C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_jwn_RevolvingCreditFacilityOptionToIncreaseMaximumAmount_5DC69AC4577538B424F015A2F160A35C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_75E7C0C6200399969E7A15A2F1606212" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_75E7C0C6200399969E7A15A2F1606212" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_B855080E70AB3883078715A2F160BE5B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_B855080E70AB3883078715A2F160BE5B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_DebtInstrumentDebtCovenantLeverageRatio" xlink:label="loc_jwn_DebtInstrumentDebtCovenantLeverageRatio_F0DCBE63EFC33AC644CE15A2F1606F36" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_48E27F0D0F5DEBC0C4EE15A2F15F6866" xlink:to="loc_jwn_DebtInstrumentDebtCovenantLeverageRatio_F0DCBE63EFC33AC644CE15A2F1606F36" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/DebtAndCreditFacilitiesSummaryOfLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_DB613DC78E200756E28F0AFC859C66E0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_7A25FA567035B8AFF15F0AFC859BF42D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_DB613DC78E200756E28F0AFC859C66E0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_7A25FA567035B8AFF15F0AFC859BF42D" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_93718CEB8B497719A9020AFC859BE9A0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_7A25FA567035B8AFF15F0AFC859BF42D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_93718CEB8B497719A9020AFC859BE9A0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_93718CEB8B497719A9020AFC859BE9A0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_93718CEB8B497719A9020AFC859BE9A0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_MortgagePayable768PercentDueApril2020Member" xlink:label="loc_jwn_MortgagePayable768PercentDueApril2020Member_3301F44E99A49C95DE220AFC859BFE72" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:to="loc_jwn_MortgagePayable768PercentDueApril2020Member_3301F44E99A49C95DE220AFC859BFE72" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_9E149C0810426349FD3C0AFC859B787F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_9E149C0810426349FD3C0AFC859B787F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_SeniorNotes625PercentDueJanuary2018NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes625PercentDueJanuary2018NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_5491C0E7B2EA4BDB7E320AFC859BAAB6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:to="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes625PercentDueJanuary2018NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_5491C0E7B2EA4BDB7E320AFC859BAAB6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_SeniorNotes475PercentDueMay2020NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes475PercentDueMay2020NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_B8B9465520A2877E61770AFC859B7052" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:to="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes475PercentDueMay2020NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_B8B9465520A2877E61770AFC859B7052" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_SeniorNotesFourPercentDueOctoberTwoThousandAndTwentyOneNetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_SeniorNotesFourPercentDueOctoberTwoThousandAndTwentyOneNetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_333AF78181ED7EDB5B590AFC859B35EE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:to="loc_jwn_SeniorNotesFourPercentDueOctoberTwoThousandAndTwentyOneNetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_333AF78181ED7EDB5B590AFC859B35EE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_SeniorNotes400PercentDueMarch2027Member" xlink:label="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes400PercentDueMarch2027Member_B557D01091A0E61D02CA0AFC859B1079" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:to="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes400PercentDueMarch2027Member_B557D01091A0E61D02CA0AFC859B1079" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_SeniorDebentures695PercentDueMarch2028Member" xlink:label="loc_jwn_SeniorDebentures695PercentDueMarch2028Member_18FE6EC61CC811BE7C360AFC859BA667" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:to="loc_jwn_SeniorDebentures695PercentDueMarch2028Member_18FE6EC61CC811BE7C360AFC859BA667" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_SeniorNotes700PercentDueJanuary2038NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes700PercentDueJanuary2038NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_CB1F7D958F7DCB493D5F0AFC859CCFF9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:to="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes700PercentDueJanuary2038NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_CB1F7D958F7DCB493D5F0AFC859CCFF9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_SeniorNotes500PercentDueJanuary2044NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes500PercentDueJanuary2044NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_271573538869B15E28F00AFC859C84F1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:to="loc_jwn_SeniorNotes500PercentDueJanuary2044NetOfUnamortizedDiscountMember_271573538869B15E28F00AFC859C84F1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_4127C7EB0FA75DD915980AFC859C3EE1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6DC97F69D0859A886C3A0AFC859B5F27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_4127C7EB0FA75DD915980AFC859C3EE1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_884B06D897D5C842CA940AFC859CC70A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_DB613DC78E200756E28F0AFC859C66E0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_884B06D897D5C842CA940AFC859CC70A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_2200FB59DA44C28C62760AFC859C3AD1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_DB613DC78E200756E28F0AFC859C66E0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_2200FB59DA44C28C62760AFC859C3AD1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_TotalLongTermDebt" xlink:label="loc_jwn_TotalLongTermDebt_31E462EEF472DCAF4FDE0AFC859C9E14" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_DB613DC78E200756E28F0AFC859C66E0" xlink:to="loc_jwn_TotalLongTermDebt_31E462EEF472DCAF4FDE0AFC859C9E14" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent_1E26000C3E30525E45CA0AFC859C1F61" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_DB613DC78E200756E28F0AFC859C66E0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent_1E26000C3E30525E45CA0AFC859C1F61" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_6768F893F2B09A5884FE0AFC859CEFB2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_DB613DC78E200756E28F0AFC859C66E0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_6768F893F2B09A5884FE0AFC859CEFB2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_9AC99D57FC79A4A093730AFC859C6284" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_DB613DC78E200756E28F0AFC859C66E0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_9AC99D57FC79A4A093730AFC859C6284" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateDescription" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateDescription_6ECBA96BADE9900C2C950AFC859C1A2A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_DB613DC78E200756E28F0AFC859C66E0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateDescription_6ECBA96BADE9900C2C950AFC859C1A2A" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/DebtAndCreditFacilitiesTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/EarningsPerShareComputationOfEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsSummaryOfCarryingValueAndFairValueEstimateOfLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_E7E20AF5F2D818F3295A0AFC852C2609" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_B03765FF1D5D005866950AFC85272A55" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_E7E20AF5F2D818F3295A0AFC852C2609" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_B03765FF1D5D005866950AFC85272A55" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8B5E998D55EA35095EB20AFC852716C7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_B03765FF1D5D005866950AFC85272A55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8B5E998D55EA35095EB20AFC852716C7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_C479815F70E2E27C429E0AFC8527523B_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8B5E998D55EA35095EB20AFC852716C7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_C479815F70E2E27C429E0AFC8527523B_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_C479815F70E2E27C429E0AFC8527523B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8B5E998D55EA35095EB20AFC852716C7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_C479815F70E2E27C429E0AFC8527523B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_D95B9CA9CCEB98078D750AFC8527BFCC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_C479815F70E2E27C429E0AFC8527523B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_D95B9CA9CCEB98078D750AFC8527BFCC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_TotalLongTermDebt" xlink:label="loc_jwn_TotalLongTermDebt_A4314F869C08FE4022440AFC852DAEC6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_E7E20AF5F2D818F3295A0AFC852C2609" xlink:to="loc_jwn_TotalLongTermDebt_A4314F869C08FE4022440AFC852DAEC6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_8AEF0F2AE1C93BB8CB3E0AFC852DC4F9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_E7E20AF5F2D818F3295A0AFC852C2609" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_8AEF0F2AE1C93BB8CB3E0AFC852DC4F9" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/SegmentReporting" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/SegmentReportingInformationByReportableSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_FE1B86AFEBE8881839220AFC83C16AC7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_C3A7409F2520874A1DF10AFC83BB4BA9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_FE1B86AFEBE8881839220AFC83C16AC7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_C3A7409F2520874A1DF10AFC83BB4BA9" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_C4CE3EFB80E228630D9F0AFC83BB6283" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_C3A7409F2520874A1DF10AFC83BB4BA9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_C4CE3EFB80E228630D9F0AFC83BB6283" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0701153B909CBA4B09F50AFC83BCC6C5_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_C4CE3EFB80E228630D9F0AFC83BB6283" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0701153B909CBA4B09F50AFC83BCC6C5_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0701153B909CBA4B09F50AFC83BCC6C5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_C4CE3EFB80E228630D9F0AFC83BB6283" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0701153B909CBA4B09F50AFC83BCC6C5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_RetailSegmentMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_RetailSegmentMember_9A47059C33339385E47E0AFC83BCB2E6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0701153B909CBA4B09F50AFC83BCC6C5" xlink:to="loc_jwn_RetailSegmentMember_9A47059C33339385E47E0AFC83BCB2E6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_8C421B42E10D3E49C66E0AFC83BC4155" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0701153B909CBA4B09F50AFC83BCC6C5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_8C421B42E10D3E49C66E0AFC83BC4155" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_TotalRetailBusinessMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_TotalRetailBusinessMember_049122C14199AE93562D0AFC83C11E43" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0701153B909CBA4B09F50AFC83BCC6C5" xlink:to="loc_jwn_TotalRetailBusinessMember_049122C14199AE93562D0AFC83C11E43" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_CreditSegmentMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_CreditSegmentMember_5BC72138A859C7A154B50AFC83C1D059" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0701153B909CBA4B09F50AFC83BCC6C5" xlink:to="loc_jwn_CreditSegmentMember_5BC72138A859C7A154B50AFC83C1D059" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet_E7D45F345D6D782359DA0AFC83C12FB9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_FE1B86AFEBE8881839220AFC83C16AC7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet_E7D45F345D6D782359DA0AFC83C12FB9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_CreditCardRevenuesnet" xlink:label="loc_jwn_CreditCardRevenuesnet_402D2216036E510B2BE40AFC83C119B1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_FE1B86AFEBE8881839220AFC83C16AC7" xlink:to="loc_jwn_CreditCardRevenuesnet_402D2216036E510B2BE40AFC83C119B1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_EarningsBeforeInterestAndIncomeTaxes" xlink:label="loc_jwn_EarningsBeforeInterestAndIncomeTaxes_56B7DA0A5A1CBDF37BDE0AFC83C1EF6D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_FE1B86AFEBE8881839220AFC83C16AC7" xlink:to="loc_jwn_EarningsBeforeInterestAndIncomeTaxes_56B7DA0A5A1CBDF37BDE0AFC83C1EF6D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_4A20951AF1249E01C6B70AFC83C1F98D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_FE1B86AFEBE8881839220AFC83C16AC7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_4A20951AF1249E01C6B70AFC83C1F98D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_EarningsBeforeIncomeTaxes" xlink:label="loc_jwn_EarningsBeforeIncomeTaxes_A0BF00F61BF9ED3EB4530AFC83C11F88" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_FE1B86AFEBE8881839220AFC83C16AC7" xlink:to="loc_jwn_EarningsBeforeIncomeTaxes_A0BF00F61BF9ED3EB4530AFC83C11F88" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/SegmentReportingSummaryOfNetSalesWithinReportableSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_EC666BDC68231F84573E2AD4F9DD588A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_168B18D0B022E4D3819A2AD4F9DCE752" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_EC666BDC68231F84573E2AD4F9DD588A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_168B18D0B022E4D3819A2AD4F9DCE752" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_885A8DDCE6EE731847E42AD4F9DC1ECB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_168B18D0B022E4D3819A2AD4F9DCE752" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_885A8DDCE6EE731847E42AD4F9DC1ECB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_885A8DDCE6EE731847E42AD4F9DC1ECB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_885A8DDCE6EE731847E42AD4F9DC1ECB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_NordstromFullLineStoresMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_NordstromFullLineStoresMember_44B6D69502C5108969332AD4F9DCF835" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E" xlink:to="loc_jwn_NordstromFullLineStoresMember_44B6D69502C5108969332AD4F9DCF835" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_Nordstrom.comMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_Nordstrom.comMember_1A635A23418C6A904BBE2AD4F9DCB81B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E" xlink:to="loc_jwn_Nordstrom.comMember_1A635A23418C6A904BBE2AD4F9DCB81B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_NordstromMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_NordstromMember_EA386DAAD4EAB0283DCE2AD4F9DC8991" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E" xlink:to="loc_jwn_NordstromMember_EA386DAAD4EAB0283DCE2AD4F9DC8991" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_NordstromRackMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_NordstromRackMember_8E8592AA0AF20BBBBFB82AD4F9DC7897" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E" xlink:to="loc_jwn_NordstromRackMember_8E8592AA0AF20BBBBFB82AD4F9DC7897" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_Nordstromrack.comandHauteLookMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_Nordstromrack.comandHauteLookMember_33AF73C689942CFB50EC2AD4F9DC9A80" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E" xlink:to="loc_jwn_Nordstromrack.comandHauteLookMember_33AF73C689942CFB50EC2AD4F9DC9A80" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_OffPriceMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_OffPriceMember_EDE07A3BE26AE55F6BDF2AD4F9DCE635" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E" xlink:to="loc_jwn_OffPriceMember_EDE07A3BE26AE55F6BDF2AD4F9DCE635" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_OtherRetailMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_OtherRetailMember_062F29EDB5EBFDEED4BD2AD4F9DC5FEC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E" xlink:to="loc_jwn_OtherRetailMember_062F29EDB5EBFDEED4BD2AD4F9DC5FEC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_RetailSegmentMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_RetailSegmentMember_94C52A9C72D9631649CE2AD4F9DDA025" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E" xlink:to="loc_jwn_RetailSegmentMember_94C52A9C72D9631649CE2AD4F9DDA025" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_07684F68684FC869AAE82AD4F9DD4CFC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_F33FC2213CE7C3EBAD882AD4F9DCC09E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_07684F68684FC869AAE82AD4F9DD4CFC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet_03008274FFACF9879A782AD4F9DD560A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_EC666BDC68231F84573E2AD4F9DD588A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet_03008274FFACF9879A782AD4F9DD560A" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/SegmentReportingTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/ShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAdjustmentsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAdjustmentsLineItems_A4F70DBB1DA1F7D84C170AFC83796EFB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_CCBCB2668DE918A5363B0AFC8378D908" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAdjustmentsLineItems_A4F70DBB1DA1F7D84C170AFC83796EFB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_CCBCB2668DE918A5363B0AFC8378D908" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_2901AABF9917431DD3140AFC8379D09A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_CCBCB2668DE918A5363B0AFC8378D908" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_2901AABF9917431DD3140AFC8379D09A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_C5C41F3465ADC274CEEB0AFC83799FE2_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_2901AABF9917431DD3140AFC8379D09A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_C5C41F3465ADC274CEEB0AFC83799FE2_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_C5C41F3465ADC274CEEB0AFC83799FE2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_2901AABF9917431DD3140AFC8379D09A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_C5C41F3465ADC274CEEB0AFC83799FE2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_TwoThousandSeventeenProgramMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_TwoThousandSeventeenProgramMember_AAFC442274C456F9B5570AFC8379F7E4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_C5C41F3465ADC274CEEB0AFC83799FE2" xlink:to="loc_jwn_TwoThousandSeventeenProgramMember_AAFC442274C456F9B5570AFC8379F7E4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_TwoThousandFifteenProgramMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_TwoThousandFifteenProgramMember_9866EF0203B9145A1A440AFC8379E60C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_C5C41F3465ADC274CEEB0AFC83799FE2" xlink:to="loc_jwn_TwoThousandFifteenProgramMember_9866EF0203B9145A1A440AFC8379E60C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_D1D5C27D9BC8605A03DE0AFC837967C3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_CCBCB2668DE918A5363B0AFC8378D908" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_D1D5C27D9BC8605A03DE0AFC837967C3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_5C0CB9FE02DCC2A6F1F50AFC8379E63A_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_D1D5C27D9BC8605A03DE0AFC837967C3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_5C0CB9FE02DCC2A6F1F50AFC8379E63A_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_5C0CB9FE02DCC2A6F1F50AFC8379E63A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_D1D5C27D9BC8605A03DE0AFC837967C3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_5C0CB9FE02DCC2A6F1F50AFC8379E63A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_108BFF8881C12929EDAA0AFC83791900" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_5C0CB9FE02DCC2A6F1F50AFC8379E63A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_108BFF8881C12929EDAA0AFC83791900" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_EA87832B1A6DF0010CB20AFC83796B38" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAdjustmentsLineItems_A4F70DBB1DA1F7D84C170AFC83796EFB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_EA87832B1A6DF0010CB20AFC83796B38" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_ExpirationOfUnusedShareRepurchaseProgramCapacity" xlink:label="loc_jwn_ExpirationOfUnusedShareRepurchaseProgramCapacity_7402481FB29C0EFA0E270AFC83798315" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAdjustmentsLineItems_A4F70DBB1DA1F7D84C170AFC83796EFB" xlink:to="loc_jwn_ExpirationOfUnusedShareRepurchaseProgramCapacity_7402481FB29C0EFA0E270AFC83798315" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_67D43504FA76D04D1A0C0AFC837AEF55" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAdjustmentsLineItems_A4F70DBB1DA1F7D84C170AFC83796EFB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_67D43504FA76D04D1A0C0AFC837AEF55" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_465ECC05181FA407C47A0AFC837A4CB3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAdjustmentsLineItems_A4F70DBB1DA1F7D84C170AFC83796EFB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_465ECC05181FA407C47A0AFC837A4CB3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_98D2A2CDF58999EBDF750AFC837F1529" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAdjustmentsLineItems_A4F70DBB1DA1F7D84C170AFC83796EFB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_98D2A2CDF58999EBDF750AFC837F1529" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_4AD10AFA1612B8B4A6980AFC837FC945" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAdjustmentsLineItems_A4F70DBB1DA1F7D84C170AFC83796EFB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_4AD10AFA1612B8B4A6980AFC837FC945" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/StockBasedCompensation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/StockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7D924413B1C602DB6AA029B8701BF80E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_459D40B67EE966F04A8329B8701BAB72" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7D924413B1C602DB6AA029B8701BF80E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_459D40B67EE966F04A8329B8701BAB72" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_8A30EC5A06534F635BE729B8701B1D1D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_459D40B67EE966F04A8329B8701BAB72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_8A30EC5A06534F635BE729B8701B1D1D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_F50ACDFE0179C793525D29B8701B11C4_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_8A30EC5A06534F635BE729B8701B1D1D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_F50ACDFE0179C793525D29B8701B11C4_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_F50ACDFE0179C793525D29B8701B11C4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_8A30EC5A06534F635BE729B8701B1D1D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_F50ACDFE0179C793525D29B8701B11C4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_TwoThousandTenEquityIncentivePlanMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_TwoThousandTenEquityIncentivePlanMember_9374E73B502756155A4A29B9D2087A59" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_F50ACDFE0179C793525D29B8701B11C4" xlink:to="loc_jwn_TwoThousandTenEquityIncentivePlanMember_9374E73B502756155A4A29B9D2087A59" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredCompensation_C4121BD13BEA9FAC70CF29C1DE961F1B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7D924413B1C602DB6AA029B8701BF80E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredCompensation_C4121BD13BEA9FAC70CF29C1DE961F1B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_48B2726CD942989D820129B5ADF5E8F6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7D924413B1C602DB6AA029B8701BF80E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_48B2726CD942989D820129B5ADF5E8F6" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryOfGrantsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0ECB1C3B42D54E3403720AFC85C9B923" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6F341DE0D15785B7DEE20AFC85C9A937" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0ECB1C3B42D54E3403720AFC85C9B923" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6F341DE0D15785B7DEE20AFC85C9A937" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9C550208BB5F661333A20AFC85C9FACB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6F341DE0D15785B7DEE20AFC85C9A937" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9C550208BB5F661333A20AFC85C9FACB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_B2232D930F80B30435680AFC85C920A6_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9C550208BB5F661333A20AFC85C9FACB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_B2232D930F80B30435680AFC85C920A6_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_B2232D930F80B30435680AFC85C920A6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9C550208BB5F661333A20AFC85C9FACB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_B2232D930F80B30435680AFC85C920A6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_17D1AE2C78359F9070390AFC85C9D34D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_B2232D930F80B30435680AFC85C920A6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_17D1AE2C78359F9070390AFC85C9D34D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_380321B3CCD7B7913A900AFC85C97E69" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_B2232D930F80B30435680AFC85C920A6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_380321B3CCD7B7913A900AFC85C97E69" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_7BF3B777DDBEAC4543B90AFC85C94841" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0ECB1C3B42D54E3403720AFC85C9B923" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_7BF3B777DDBEAC4543B90AFC85C94841" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_7357FDD189E6E953F5120AFC85C9237A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0ECB1C3B42D54E3403720AFC85C9B923" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_7357FDD189E6E953F5120AFC85C9237A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_1C27F45A081D6716187B0AFC85C9FF41" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0ECB1C3B42D54E3403720AFC85C9B923" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_1C27F45A081D6716187B0AFC85C9FF41" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ABD87D2BB4A0ED0EC6040AFC85C9AD82" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0ECB1C3B42D54E3403720AFC85C9B923" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ABD87D2BB4A0ED0EC6040AFC85C9AD82" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/StockBasedCompensationSummaryOfStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92A6BBC4417677A5BD320AFC85418731" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_591B05DEA50B62635D980AFC8540B2B4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92A6BBC4417677A5BD320AFC85418731" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_591B05DEA50B62635D980AFC8540B2B4" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6701240617ED290C9AD40AFC85402193" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_591B05DEA50B62635D980AFC8540B2B4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6701240617ED290C9AD40AFC85402193" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2E798832428D054943FA0AFC85400833_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6701240617ED290C9AD40AFC85402193" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2E798832428D054943FA0AFC85400833_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2E798832428D054943FA0AFC85400833" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6701240617ED290C9AD40AFC85402193" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2E798832428D054943FA0AFC85400833" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_8BD70A1AB9108431BB510AFC8540A374" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2E798832428D054943FA0AFC85400833" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_8BD70A1AB9108431BB510AFC8540A374" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_9992E02A0140DFE07C7C0AFC85409DE2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2E798832428D054943FA0AFC85400833" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_9992E02A0140DFE07C7C0AFC85409DE2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="jwn-20170729.xsd#jwn_OtherStockBasedCompensationMember" xlink:label="loc_jwn_OtherStockBasedCompensationMember_08D64A6B129B534076D20AFC85408156" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2E798832428D054943FA0AFC85400833" xlink:to="loc_jwn_OtherStockBasedCompensationMember_08D64A6B129B534076D20AFC85408156" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis_5DF7CB9D5EE5C202D2480AFC8541374B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_591B05DEA50B62635D980AFC8540B2B4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis_5DF7CB9D5EE5C202D2480AFC8541374B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_F8846572D34D4847CD9B0AFC8541C67F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis_5DF7CB9D5EE5C202D2480AFC8541374B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_F8846572D34D4847CD9B0AFC8541C67F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_F8846572D34D4847CD9B0AFC8541C67F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis_5DF7CB9D5EE5C202D2480AFC8541374B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_F8846572D34D4847CD9B0AFC8541C67F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityIssuedInBusinessCombinationMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityIssuedInBusinessCombinationMember_9250799B50EBF68E1D610AFC8541F8E9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_F8846572D34D4847CD9B0AFC8541C67F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityIssuedInBusinessCombinationMember_9250799B50EBF68E1D610AFC8541F8E9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_879231538C10C7876B480AFC85411D79" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92A6BBC4417677A5BD320AFC85418731" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_879231538C10C7876B480AFC85411D79" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_E78292DEEC187A15ACBD0AFC8541CAF5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92A6BBC4417677A5BD320AFC85418731" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_E78292DEEC187A15ACBD0AFC8541CAF5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax_DE481C619056B93FFBAF0AFC8541B419" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92A6BBC4417677A5BD320AFC85418731" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax_DE481C619056B93FFBAF0AFC8541B419" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.nordstrom.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="extended" />
</link:linkbase>
