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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2023 Workiva-->
<!--r:a14aa1ee-f5b1-442a-91eb-9f399412c74a,g:b02b166e-ea77-4099-ab89-4a1bbd139719-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSHAREHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSHAREHOLDERSEQUITY"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSHAREHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="extended" id="i67c1c69bcaa141eb8a6fa62a05d427a5_CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSHAREHOLDERSEQUITY">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5e92c47a-8e1f-40b2-86fb-e7045666ef94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5e92c47a-8e1f-40b2-86fb-e7045666ef94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_320c1612-7b14-4d76-8a1c-b2df4a623276" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_320c1612-7b14-4d76-8a1c-b2df4a623276" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_ef8f4f5b-3755-42b0-8fd2-d826aaf3f0c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_ef8f4f5b-3755-42b0-8fd2-d826aaf3f0c0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_fd603d09-14fc-4b66-9f97-30b61a7bffa2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_fd603d09-14fc-4b66-9f97-30b61a7bffa2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_35b72f24-935a-4db0-86c9-79fe57cad2f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_35b72f24-935a-4db0-86c9-79fe57cad2f6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_c037bbe8-abc9-46f6-8700-5066acb494af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_c037bbe8-abc9-46f6-8700-5066acb494af" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueCommonStockDividendReinvestmentPlan_482008b9-236c-45c2-80dd-8d7f851b4694" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueCommonStockDividendReinvestmentPlan"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_shen_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueCommonStockDividendReinvestmentPlan_482008b9-236c-45c2-80dd-8d7f851b4694" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_4144bb35-a3d2-4fa4-9848-25aa9b10a4a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_4144bb35-a3d2-4fa4-9848-25aa9b10a4a0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_d471414e-0f80-4184-98de-49e5f785e507" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_d471414e-0f80-4184-98de-49e5f785e507" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_c73670bc-8e82-4336-9e16-73178745ddcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_c73670bc-8e82-4336-9e16-73178745ddcc" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_a8f89f12-bc5d-4c32-b4ec-9f579ee34402" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_a8f89f12-bc5d-4c32-b4ec-9f579ee34402" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_779aae64-927a-407d-bed5-d94c3a8cc918" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_779aae64-927a-407d-bed5-d94c3a8cc918" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesDividendReinvestmentPlan_734a6cf5-2f6a-4812-a660-e78d55b7d988" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesDividendReinvestmentPlan"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesDividendReinvestmentPlan_734a6cf5-2f6a-4812-a660-e78d55b7d988" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueDividendReinvestmentPlan_e2c47663-9d46-47a2-ab85-b9bee17c49b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueDividendReinvestmentPlan"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueDividendReinvestmentPlan_e2c47663-9d46-47a2-ab85-b9bee17c49b9" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_AdjustmentsRelatedtoTaxWithholdingforSharebasedCompensationShares_7b48694b-3aad-4428-be4e-d2f1c97bec1a" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_AdjustmentsRelatedtoTaxWithholdingforSharebasedCompensationShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_shen_AdjustmentsRelatedtoTaxWithholdingforSharebasedCompensationShares_7b48694b-3aad-4428-be4e-d2f1c97bec1a" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableToNoncontrollingValueAssigned_48aab2a0-411a-4289-b2ab-d877f735db9a" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableToNoncontrollingValueAssigned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_shen_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableToNoncontrollingValueAssigned_48aab2a0-411a-4289-b2ab-d877f735db9a" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_BusinessAcquisitionNoncontrollingInterestIssuedOrIssuableSharesAssigned_34648a7c-928e-4963-b436-4acc7ffb83d6" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_BusinessAcquisitionNoncontrollingInterestIssuedOrIssuableSharesAssigned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_987aa0e7-03f0-4764-9322-037f7f171330" xlink:to="loc_shen_BusinessAcquisitionNoncontrollingInterestIssuedOrIssuableSharesAssigned_34648a7c-928e-4963-b436-4acc7ffb83d6" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_b7f5bdad-1e4c-400a-897f-ab346c0e3a2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_7c4195b9-059b-4b63-bf6b-915b83a4b6bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_bc7caba6-e49e-425d-8a63-be30d13786f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5e92c47a-8e1f-40b2-86fb-e7045666ef94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_bc7caba6-e49e-425d-8a63-be30d13786f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d8a9bc27-6e7b-4bd2-b481-28357cbe77a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_bc7caba6-e49e-425d-8a63-be30d13786f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d8a9bc27-6e7b-4bd2-b481-28357cbe77a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d8a9bc27-6e7b-4bd2-b481-28357cbe77a4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d8a9bc27-6e7b-4bd2-b481-28357cbe77a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d8a9bc27-6e7b-4bd2-b481-28357cbe77a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b79a4186-c467-402b-8605-c70e4ab03669" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_d8a9bc27-6e7b-4bd2-b481-28357cbe77a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b79a4186-c467-402b-8605-c70e4ab03669" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_0f12555b-366c-4cb3-889f-31a430a36e70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b79a4186-c467-402b-8605-c70e4ab03669" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_0f12555b-366c-4cb3-889f-31a430a36e70" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_f1468892-3e07-44c0-ab84-d78a8750c851" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b79a4186-c467-402b-8605-c70e4ab03669" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_f1468892-3e07-44c0-ab84-d78a8750c851" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_4725a2bc-a8af-4ddf-b6d2-14f9c024b136" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b79a4186-c467-402b-8605-c70e4ab03669" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_4725a2bc-a8af-4ddf-b6d2-14f9c024b136" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_4ff0138d-5cc4-4fab-b15a-b39b7ea908fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b79a4186-c467-402b-8605-c70e4ab03669" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_4ff0138d-5cc4-4fab-b15a-b39b7ea908fa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0c70054a81494282bb8370612214c573_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_21a129f1-2aaa-43de-bfb2-f4c8ece45ee9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_21a129f1-2aaa-43de-bfb2-f4c8ece45ee9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense_721925fe-3ffb-4380-b993-18ed88ea9565" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense_721925fe-3ffb-4380-b993-18ed88ea9565" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLife_7671ad39-1624-4ff4-b002-66086faab41e" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_shen_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLife_7671ad39-1624-4ff4-b002-66086faab41e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingPeriod_8b51f50d-dcf3-4407-a700-49edbbe1dabc" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingPeriod_8b51f50d-dcf3-4407-a700-49edbbe1dabc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingReductionsThresholdAgeOfRecipient_07dc372e-45ef-4d9d-b0ba-c3831758e247" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingReductionsThresholdAgeOfRecipient"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingReductionsThresholdAgeOfRecipient_07dc372e-45ef-4d9d-b0ba-c3831758e247" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets_cfa829d1-abfc-46c5-9a7b-340054de0b89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets_cfa829d1-abfc-46c5-9a7b-340054de0b89" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation_189271f3-eacf-458f-b774-7f5cf9e5e48d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation_189271f3-eacf-458f-b774-7f5cf9e5e48d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate_73d6758f-ed7b-48d6-91a9-d8ebf6646c99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate_73d6758f-ed7b-48d6-91a9-d8ebf6646c99" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCostOfProvidingSpecialOrContractualTerminationBenefitRecognizedDuringPeriod_6e78fc6d-dc7d-4ef5-8add-668d17515e2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCostOfProvidingSpecialOrContractualTerminationBenefitRecognizedDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCostOfProvidingSpecialOrContractualTerminationBenefitRecognizedDuringPeriod_6e78fc6d-dc7d-4ef5-8add-668d17515e2b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_79e1265b-30cd-4ddf-9427-5485ab0b16d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_79e1265b-30cd-4ddf-9427-5485ab0b16d7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_16194fbb-7961-4e72-aa84-37fceafa267b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_16194fbb-7961-4e72-aa84-37fceafa267b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_45638325-53b8-4927-91c3-f1e8f577dd00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_45638325-53b8-4927-91c3-f1e8f577dd00" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_NtelosPensionPlanMember_9447ffa3-0cfa-4341-ae23-1ef0096fbe6f" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_NtelosPensionPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_45638325-53b8-4927-91c3-f1e8f577dd00" xlink:to="loc_shen_NtelosPensionPlanMember_9447ffa3-0cfa-4341-ae23-1ef0096fbe6f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_OPEBPlanMember_7194d6bc-7e88-458b-83f8-b412fa559ab6" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_OPEBPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_45638325-53b8-4927-91c3-f1e8f577dd00" xlink:to="loc_shen_OPEBPlanMember_7194d6bc-7e88-458b-83f8-b412fa559ab6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3ae9677e-bf5a-4d98-b0f1-257a91637ee5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3ae9677e-bf5a-4d98-b0f1-257a91637ee5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_NtelosHoldingCorpMember_d52bb6a6-60aa-4a03-912d-75e8dff24ee3" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_NtelosHoldingCorpMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3ae9677e-bf5a-4d98-b0f1-257a91637ee5" xlink:to="loc_shen_NtelosHoldingCorpMember_d52bb6a6-60aa-4a03-912d-75e8dff24ee3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_cbc877fa-1d89-469f-99c7-9d18b9e1330a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_cbc877fa-1d89-469f-99c7-9d18b9e1330a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_195d0d93-022c-42dd-a384-5e071d782f2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_cbc877fa-1d89-469f-99c7-9d18b9e1330a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_195d0d93-022c-42dd-a384-5e071d782f2f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_998d9d4b-08b8-42ca-85cf-6102458480d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_998d9d4b-08b8-42ca-85cf-6102458480d3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_5bcca3be-d609-48a9-a037-d543614feff7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_5bcca3be-d609-48a9-a037-d543614feff7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_a6d4f71e-a10c-4b3c-9389-e2d63e951de4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_5bcca3be-d609-48a9-a037-d543614feff7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_a6d4f71e-a10c-4b3c-9389-e2d63e951de4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_877929e0-4998-4a29-a896-9dd0024efbaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_5bcca3be-d609-48a9-a037-d543614feff7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_877929e0-4998-4a29-a896-9dd0024efbaf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails_1" xlink:type="extended" id="i316737ca337b416ca5af8694a3050858_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails_1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_21a129f1-2aaa-43de-bfb2-f4c8ece45ee9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_21a129f1-2aaa-43de-bfb2-f4c8ece45ee9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense_721925fe-3ffb-4380-b993-18ed88ea9565" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense_721925fe-3ffb-4380-b993-18ed88ea9565" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLife_7671ad39-1624-4ff4-b002-66086faab41e" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_shen_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLife_7671ad39-1624-4ff4-b002-66086faab41e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingPeriod_8b51f50d-dcf3-4407-a700-49edbbe1dabc" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingPeriod_8b51f50d-dcf3-4407-a700-49edbbe1dabc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingReductionsThresholdAgeOfRecipient_07dc372e-45ef-4d9d-b0ba-c3831758e247" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingReductionsThresholdAgeOfRecipient"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_shen_DefinedBenefitPlanVestingReductionsThresholdAgeOfRecipient_07dc372e-45ef-4d9d-b0ba-c3831758e247" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets_cfa829d1-abfc-46c5-9a7b-340054de0b89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets_cfa829d1-abfc-46c5-9a7b-340054de0b89" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation_189271f3-eacf-458f-b774-7f5cf9e5e48d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation_189271f3-eacf-458f-b774-7f5cf9e5e48d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate_73d6758f-ed7b-48d6-91a9-d8ebf6646c99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate_73d6758f-ed7b-48d6-91a9-d8ebf6646c99" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCostOfProvidingSpecialOrContractualTerminationBenefitRecognizedDuringPeriod_6e78fc6d-dc7d-4ef5-8add-668d17515e2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCostOfProvidingSpecialOrContractualTerminationBenefitRecognizedDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCostOfProvidingSpecialOrContractualTerminationBenefitRecognizedDuringPeriod_6e78fc6d-dc7d-4ef5-8add-668d17515e2b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_79e1265b-30cd-4ddf-9427-5485ab0b16d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_79e1265b-30cd-4ddf-9427-5485ab0b16d7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_16194fbb-7961-4e72-aa84-37fceafa267b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_16194fbb-7961-4e72-aa84-37fceafa267b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c583e67a-9a0f-410a-a8a2-5c7d82c60200" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_45638325-53b8-4927-91c3-f1e8f577dd00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_84d67de3-b21b-4d1b-b8a5-5b1abbd6c8dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_45638325-53b8-4927-91c3-f1e8f577dd00" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_NtelosPensionPlanMember_9447ffa3-0cfa-4341-ae23-1ef0096fbe6f" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_NtelosPensionPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_45638325-53b8-4927-91c3-f1e8f577dd00" xlink:to="loc_shen_NtelosPensionPlanMember_9447ffa3-0cfa-4341-ae23-1ef0096fbe6f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_OPEBPlanMember_7194d6bc-7e88-458b-83f8-b412fa559ab6" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_OPEBPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_45638325-53b8-4927-91c3-f1e8f577dd00" xlink:to="loc_shen_OPEBPlanMember_7194d6bc-7e88-458b-83f8-b412fa559ab6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3ae9677e-bf5a-4d98-b0f1-257a91637ee5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_dcdd1b7b-6d4f-4c65-91f6-e3a486f4588a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3ae9677e-bf5a-4d98-b0f1-257a91637ee5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_NtelosHoldingCorpMember_d52bb6a6-60aa-4a03-912d-75e8dff24ee3" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_NtelosHoldingCorpMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3ae9677e-bf5a-4d98-b0f1-257a91637ee5" xlink:to="loc_shen_NtelosHoldingCorpMember_d52bb6a6-60aa-4a03-912d-75e8dff24ee3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_cbc877fa-1d89-469f-99c7-9d18b9e1330a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_a69f0d1c-dd0d-4d34-ade9-4fcbab308a97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_cbc877fa-1d89-469f-99c7-9d18b9e1330a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_195d0d93-022c-42dd-a384-5e071d782f2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_cbc877fa-1d89-469f-99c7-9d18b9e1330a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_195d0d93-022c-42dd-a384-5e071d782f2f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_bc4301b9-8b6e-4fab-b1f4-b05555e8fcec" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_5bcca3be-d609-48a9-a037-d543614feff7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2bb15c88-119a-4e25-a894-91fc75c513d1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_5bcca3be-d609-48a9-a037-d543614feff7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_a6d4f71e-a10c-4b3c-9389-e2d63e951de4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_5bcca3be-d609-48a9-a037-d543614feff7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_a6d4f71e-a10c-4b3c-9389-e2d63e951de4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_877929e0-4998-4a29-a896-9dd0024efbaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_5bcca3be-d609-48a9-a037-d543614feff7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_877929e0-4998-4a29-a896-9dd0024efbaf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesBenefitObligationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesBenefitObligationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesBenefitObligationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i03273ec0588c45d8aeb1fbed39f06dda_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesBenefitObligationsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_285c0e30-51a9-45fa-a926-7724135fa036" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation_52cf0f7d-a83f-4460-99dc-fd0d7785f071" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_285c0e30-51a9-45fa-a926-7724135fa036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation_52cf0f7d-a83f-4460-99dc-fd0d7785f071" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_ac37289b-b837-4c22-8904-1f4570fecfb6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_285c0e30-51a9-45fa-a926-7724135fa036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_ac37289b-b837-4c22-8904-1f4570fecfb6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_5f3bb64f-d916-4aea-8ec5-a7c12e89f02c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_ac37289b-b837-4c22-8904-1f4570fecfb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_5f3bb64f-d916-4aea-8ec5-a7c12e89f02c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_5f3bb64f-d916-4aea-8ec5-a7c12e89f02c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_5f3bb64f-d916-4aea-8ec5-a7c12e89f02c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_5f3bb64f-d916-4aea-8ec5-a7c12e89f02c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_eba2d046-dc24-452a-9b66-a0add74193c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_5f3bb64f-d916-4aea-8ec5-a7c12e89f02c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_eba2d046-dc24-452a-9b66-a0add74193c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_66c379a6-8dc1-4fc7-86d0-95e79191087c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_eba2d046-dc24-452a-9b66-a0add74193c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_66c379a6-8dc1-4fc7-86d0-95e79191087c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_1e5c16d1-a303-4e23-99f1-b2b054cc13b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_ac37289b-b837-4c22-8904-1f4570fecfb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_1e5c16d1-a303-4e23-99f1-b2b054cc13b7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_1e5c16d1-a303-4e23-99f1-b2b054cc13b7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_1e5c16d1-a303-4e23-99f1-b2b054cc13b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_1e5c16d1-a303-4e23-99f1-b2b054cc13b7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_2f83e5fe-9a79-477e-8add-a2c7ae691001" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_1e5c16d1-a303-4e23-99f1-b2b054cc13b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_2f83e5fe-9a79-477e-8add-a2c7ae691001" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_OPEBPlanMember_e4656620-dbfe-479c-9379-ce6a48889a91" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_OPEBPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_2f83e5fe-9a79-477e-8add-a2c7ae691001" xlink:to="loc_shen_OPEBPlanMember_e4656620-dbfe-479c-9379-ce6a48889a91" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_SERPPlanMember_7ee981d9-a284-4d31-bf23-cecccccaed8e" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_SERPPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_2f83e5fe-9a79-477e-8add-a2c7ae691001" xlink:to="loc_shen_SERPPlanMember_7ee981d9-a284-4d31-bf23-cecccccaed8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersFuturePerformanceObligationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersFuturePerformanceObligationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersFuturePerformanceObligationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i24bb4308b9754077a67cd03ba9617c17_RevenuefromContractswithCustomersFuturePerformanceObligationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_b90a6322-0760-43a7-8f1c-0364fb8c5d85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_adf106a9-aa8f-4506-8a96-8aa2c126ab61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_b90a6322-0760-43a7-8f1c-0364fb8c5d85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_adf106a9-aa8f-4506-8a96-8aa2c126ab61" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_4188084d-fdd6-4fb9-8ca8-b283fe51debd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_b90a6322-0760-43a7-8f1c-0364fb8c5d85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_4188084d-fdd6-4fb9-8ca8-b283fe51debd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_47416d1b-7568-4d07-a070-302ffbb62966" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_4188084d-fdd6-4fb9-8ca8-b283fe51debd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_47416d1b-7568-4d07-a070-302ffbb62966" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersFuturePerformanceObligationDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersFuturePerformanceObligationDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersFuturePerformanceObligationDetails_1" xlink:type="extended" id="i5f06fa24eda94665a91a531d10ced2aa_RevenuefromContractswithCustomersFuturePerformanceObligationDetails_1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_b90a6322-0760-43a7-8f1c-0364fb8c5d85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_adf106a9-aa8f-4506-8a96-8aa2c126ab61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_b90a6322-0760-43a7-8f1c-0364fb8c5d85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_adf106a9-aa8f-4506-8a96-8aa2c126ab61" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_4188084d-fdd6-4fb9-8ca8-b283fe51debd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_b90a6322-0760-43a7-8f1c-0364fb8c5d85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_4188084d-fdd6-4fb9-8ca8-b283fe51debd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#InvestmentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2fbf5693c3054a5c8f415ed8b9f0be75_InvestmentsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_21cefa5b-1cf5-4f84-9b29-cf271d0ada33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_SERPInvestmentsCurrent_ea1c923f-4772-4583-a287-4b646a5d3ab3" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_SERPInvestmentsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_21cefa5b-1cf5-4f84-9b29-cf271d0ada33" xlink:to="loc_shen_SERPInvestmentsCurrent_ea1c923f-4772-4583-a287-4b646a5d3ab3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi_a2206573-48cf-4719-b1c6-e95fb64b39bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_21cefa5b-1cf5-4f84-9b29-cf271d0ada33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi_a2206573-48cf-4719-b1c6-e95fb64b39bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiRealizedGainLoss_ef8e7cf4-3350-4b75-8a6f-0ca694fa76e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiRealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_21cefa5b-1cf5-4f84-9b29-cf271d0ada33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiRealizedGainLoss_ef8e7cf4-3350-4b75-8a6f-0ca694fa76e5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_PercentageOfPatronageCreditPaidInCash_51110a0a-3564-4696-b8a3-e9adf54d93b5" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_PercentageOfPatronageCreditPaidInCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_21cefa5b-1cf5-4f84-9b29-cf271d0ada33" xlink:to="loc_shen_PercentageOfPatronageCreditPaidInCash_51110a0a-3564-4696-b8a3-e9adf54d93b5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_PercentageOfPatronageCreditPaidInShare_d02b02d8-9899-4441-8201-3d527154f69d" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_PercentageOfPatronageCreditPaidInShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_21cefa5b-1cf5-4f84-9b29-cf271d0ada33" xlink:to="loc_shen_PercentageOfPatronageCreditPaidInShare_d02b02d8-9899-4441-8201-3d527154f69d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_af8155b7-23b5-4c9c-8e28-d029be0fb27b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_21cefa5b-1cf5-4f84-9b29-cf271d0ada33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_af8155b7-23b5-4c9c-8e28-d029be0fb27b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties_f12561da-0556-44df-888f-41884bbda437" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_21cefa5b-1cf5-4f84-9b29-cf271d0ada33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties_f12561da-0556-44df-888f-41884bbda437" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyCosts_6dfe5521-1443-4da3-82ae-2ec9aea4ef52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_21cefa5b-1cf5-4f84-9b29-cf271d0ada33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyCosts_6dfe5521-1443-4da3-82ae-2ec9aea4ef52" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_815e7e20-c447-473f-8b47-f292012376c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_21cefa5b-1cf5-4f84-9b29-cf271d0ada33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_815e7e20-c447-473f-8b47-f292012376c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_a3b64f38-77e5-42e7-bd71-8f2fc1df42c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_815e7e20-c447-473f-8b47-f292012376c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_a3b64f38-77e5-42e7-bd71-8f2fc1df42c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_a3b64f38-77e5-42e7-bd71-8f2fc1df42c3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_a3b64f38-77e5-42e7-bd71-8f2fc1df42c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_a3b64f38-77e5-42e7-bd71-8f2fc1df42c3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_2ea729e3-b78a-4b17-9ca9-9fa2851251be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_a3b64f38-77e5-42e7-bd71-8f2fc1df42c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_2ea729e3-b78a-4b17-9ca9-9fa2851251be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMember_195bbf30-8b0f-479a-bfbb-c009b080d037" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_2ea729e3-b78a-4b17-9ca9-9fa2851251be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMember_195bbf30-8b0f-479a-bfbb-c009b080d037" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_07042d62-2a78-4e39-8837-df3a532b1d11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_815e7e20-c447-473f-8b47-f292012376c2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_07042d62-2a78-4e39-8837-df3a532b1d11" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_07042d62-2a78-4e39-8837-df3a532b1d11_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_07042d62-2a78-4e39-8837-df3a532b1d11" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_07042d62-2a78-4e39-8837-df3a532b1d11_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_7158e4ab-1ab2-40a6-a58c-2c860084c8e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_07042d62-2a78-4e39-8837-df3a532b1d11" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_7158e4ab-1ab2-40a6-a58c-2c860084c8e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_CobankMember_af71f7dd-b196-4ec4-807e-54c0e5c4c04c" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_CobankMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_7158e4ab-1ab2-40a6-a58c-2c860084c8e6" xlink:to="loc_shen_CobankMember_af71f7dd-b196-4ec4-807e-54c0e5c4c04c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_ValleyNetworkPartnershipMember_abfdc27b-07bb-47c9-babe-727e8de68f08" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_ValleyNetworkPartnershipMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_7158e4ab-1ab2-40a6-a58c-2c860084c8e6" xlink:to="loc_shen_ValleyNetworkPartnershipMember_abfdc27b-07bb-47c9-babe-727e8de68f08" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib726f4f4f2704f2fa2e951273387d446_PropertyPlantandEquipmentDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_2d21d881-3a10-478d-a60d-b73bf4fc6fe4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_d4ce8086-3a9a-4410-bb2e-072beff52228" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_2d21d881-3a10-478d-a60d-b73bf4fc6fe4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_d4ce8086-3a9a-4410-bb2e-072beff52228" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_2682bab4-7ebc-4bcc-8d20-7bae2a719cae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_d4ce8086-3a9a-4410-bb2e-072beff52228" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_2682bab4-7ebc-4bcc-8d20-7bae2a719cae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_adda1905-5871-4267-b074-c96828b31c92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_d4ce8086-3a9a-4410-bb2e-072beff52228" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_adda1905-5871-4267-b074-c96828b31c92" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_abd3a1f6-fbe5-49ad-afda-94346072849c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_d4ce8086-3a9a-4410-bb2e-072beff52228" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_abd3a1f6-fbe5-49ad-afda-94346072849c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_973232b3-dea1-4d14-83d6-af98fac32823" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_d4ce8086-3a9a-4410-bb2e-072beff52228" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_973232b3-dea1-4d14-83d6-af98fac32823" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_2e57319a-5e89-4949-b3b4-048cf6f66a7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_2d21d881-3a10-478d-a60d-b73bf4fc6fe4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_2e57319a-5e89-4949-b3b4-048cf6f66a7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0f5e4068-8fe5-416c-a3bd-185bd88007d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_2e57319a-5e89-4949-b3b4-048cf6f66a7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0f5e4068-8fe5-416c-a3bd-185bd88007d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_0f5e4068-8fe5-416c-a3bd-185bd88007d6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0f5e4068-8fe5-416c-a3bd-185bd88007d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_0f5e4068-8fe5-416c-a3bd-185bd88007d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_9c762757-bb5f-4655-86fa-ba59fc17d4d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0f5e4068-8fe5-416c-a3bd-185bd88007d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_9c762757-bb5f-4655-86fa-ba59fc17d4d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_d3573fae-fdd6-4b99-becc-a1403adb95f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_9c762757-bb5f-4655-86fa-ba59fc17d4d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_d3573fae-fdd6-4b99-becc-a1403adb95f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandImprovementsMember_512f0a06-93db-4a34-afbc-eaa0408756c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LandImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_9c762757-bb5f-4655-86fa-ba59fc17d4d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandImprovementsMember_512f0a06-93db-4a34-afbc-eaa0408756c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_0151411d-9c2e-4ac3-ae89-98eac5583742" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_9c762757-bb5f-4655-86fa-ba59fc17d4d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_0151411d-9c2e-4ac3-ae89-98eac5583742" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherMachineryAndEquipmentMember_e992b413-b72d-48a2-a4a1-47d760d015fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherMachineryAndEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_9c762757-bb5f-4655-86fa-ba59fc17d4d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherMachineryAndEquipmentMember_e992b413-b72d-48a2-a4a1-47d760d015fd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_EquipmentAndSoftwareMember_d9f77bfe-83af-4b9e-bcc1-df8ad7feefd6" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_EquipmentAndSoftwareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_9c762757-bb5f-4655-86fa-ba59fc17d4d7" xlink:to="loc_shen_EquipmentAndSoftwareMember_d9f77bfe-83af-4b9e-bcc1-df8ad7feefd6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPlantInServiceMember_99677c81-5685-437e-a5d1-910ce8e06566" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPlantInServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_9c762757-bb5f-4655-86fa-ba59fc17d4d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPlantInServiceMember_99677c81-5685-437e-a5d1-910ce8e06566" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetUnderConstructionMember_791c7efb-1cdf-429b-83b5-f7b49aa9be18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetUnderConstructionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_9c762757-bb5f-4655-86fa-ba59fc17d4d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetUnderConstructionMember_791c7efb-1cdf-429b-83b5-f7b49aa9be18" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ace369a6-5d12-4807-a24e-419a3f402036" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_2e57319a-5e89-4949-b3b4-048cf6f66a7b" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ace369a6-5d12-4807-a24e-419a3f402036" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_ace369a6-5d12-4807-a24e-419a3f402036_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ace369a6-5d12-4807-a24e-419a3f402036" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_ace369a6-5d12-4807-a24e-419a3f402036_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_be17d1b5-1518-4f5b-9787-535e91d6ab0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_ace369a6-5d12-4807-a24e-419a3f402036" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_be17d1b5-1518-4f5b-9787-535e91d6ab0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_564b5215-9359-48a9-a6e1-17b3382dbd50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_be17d1b5-1518-4f5b-9787-535e91d6ab0d" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_564b5215-9359-48a9-a6e1-17b3382dbd50" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_3f90d7b7-0a0f-40c2-a95f-d296f71ebb7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_be17d1b5-1518-4f5b-9787-535e91d6ab0d" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_3f90d7b7-0a0f-40c2-a95f-d296f71ebb7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#PropertyPlantandEquipmentNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/PropertyPlantandEquipmentNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i203fc4e387e04c5ab0c60d1b9d69f419_PropertyPlantandEquipmentNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_8727a92d-98bd-4358-a201-e48789bfa48d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_8727a92d-98bd-4358-a201-e48789bfa48d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_e898d241-5a1e-49f8-9a19-b6e423253ec6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_e898d241-5a1e-49f8-9a19-b6e423253ec6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSoldDepreciation_e7822acf-240a-445d-a3b2-2e497bd3b968" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSoldDepreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSoldDepreciation_e7822acf-240a-445d-a3b2-2e497bd3b968" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsNumberOfWirelessSitesClosed_cadf56b7-1af1-4117-983e-b0c6c2d4d96e" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsNumberOfWirelessSitesClosed"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:to="loc_shen_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsNumberOfWirelessSitesClosed_cadf56b7-1af1-4117-983e-b0c6c2d4d96e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_LongLivedAssetsNumberOfWirelessSites_70c58abf-4f61-4847-9df1-084e85a813ec" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_LongLivedAssetsNumberOfWirelessSites"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:to="loc_shen_LongLivedAssetsNumberOfWirelessSites_70c58abf-4f61-4847-9df1-084e85a813ec" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsToBeDisposedOf_ac234a27-7590-4ec2-82bf-603d7cf9a882" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsToBeDisposedOf"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsToBeDisposedOf_ac234a27-7590-4ec2-82bf-603d7cf9a882" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_ec6addae-724d-4f12-b498-368045422338" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_ec6addae-724d-4f12-b498-368045422338" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets_01ca24f2-7e49-4997-a0f1-519d9bea9c8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets_01ca24f2-7e49-4997-a0f1-519d9bea9c8e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred_e20e0a8f-1d96-41ae-be43-f54824382d9a" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:to="loc_shen_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred_e20e0a8f-1d96-41ae-be43-f54824382d9a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAcceleratedDepreciation_452fa4bb-f6c0-4405-9aa7-c1caa7172e9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAcceleratedDepreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAcceleratedDepreciation_452fa4bb-f6c0-4405-9aa7-c1caa7172e9f" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_20739ef1-fcd8-4e73-8ed4-d280af63433e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_32368c03-4669-424c-b99e-a70cf0d1cef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_20739ef1-fcd8-4e73-8ed4-d280af63433e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_8695957e-bc1d-49c3-8275-b1c1ba25fb7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_20739ef1-fcd8-4e73-8ed4-d280af63433e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_8695957e-bc1d-49c3-8275-b1c1ba25fb7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_8695957e-bc1d-49c3-8275-b1c1ba25fb7a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_8695957e-bc1d-49c3-8275-b1c1ba25fb7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_8695957e-bc1d-49c3-8275-b1c1ba25fb7a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_510aea6f-7822-40e9-8967-168db3997bf5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_8695957e-bc1d-49c3-8275-b1c1ba25fb7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_510aea6f-7822-40e9-8967-168db3997bf5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_AssetPurchaseAgreementMember_a62709db-970a-485e-9f35-b54aae01b9f9" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_AssetPurchaseAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_510aea6f-7822-40e9-8967-168db3997bf5" xlink:to="loc_shen_AssetPurchaseAgreementMember_a62709db-970a-485e-9f35-b54aae01b9f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_698e15d2-8e45-472f-be20-02be0b8b0cd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_20739ef1-fcd8-4e73-8ed4-d280af63433e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_698e15d2-8e45-472f-be20-02be0b8b0cd3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_698e15d2-8e45-472f-be20-02be0b8b0cd3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_698e15d2-8e45-472f-be20-02be0b8b0cd3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_698e15d2-8e45-472f-be20-02be0b8b0cd3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_1b05c98a-bac4-457a-865c-63e4bff94732" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_698e15d2-8e45-472f-be20-02be0b8b0cd3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_1b05c98a-bac4-457a-865c-63e4bff94732" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_1bfa6b00-b4c5-46a6-8718-4e6d58d35004" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_1b05c98a-bac4-457a-865c-63e4bff94732" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_1bfa6b00-b4c5-46a6-8718-4e6d58d35004" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d1429ba9-afd7-400b-bbf0-af2cfce2eadd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_1b05c98a-bac4-457a-865c-63e4bff94732" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d1429ba9-afd7-400b-bbf0-af2cfce2eadd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_47c79fb8-dc68-4db1-89ee-859a66bfee74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_20739ef1-fcd8-4e73-8ed4-d280af63433e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_47c79fb8-dc68-4db1-89ee-859a66bfee74" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_47c79fb8-dc68-4db1-89ee-859a66bfee74_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_47c79fb8-dc68-4db1-89ee-859a66bfee74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_47c79fb8-dc68-4db1-89ee-859a66bfee74_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_07bd6061-b133-4b85-8860-b3f4ada23180" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_47c79fb8-dc68-4db1-89ee-859a66bfee74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_07bd6061-b133-4b85-8860-b3f4ada23180" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_BroadbandSegmentMember_1ee92e29-6ab8-44a3-9694-feee38a55d45" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_BroadbandSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_07bd6061-b133-4b85-8860-b3f4ada23180" xlink:to="loc_shen_BroadbandSegmentMember_1ee92e29-6ab8-44a3-9694-feee38a55d45" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_18ded129-56f4-400c-b223-e2fed0283df2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_20739ef1-fcd8-4e73-8ed4-d280af63433e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_18ded129-56f4-400c-b223-e2fed0283df2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_18ded129-56f4-400c-b223-e2fed0283df2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_18ded129-56f4-400c-b223-e2fed0283df2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_18ded129-56f4-400c-b223-e2fed0283df2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_23d2d4f3-25a0-453b-901b-4fb7343bbe85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_18ded129-56f4-400c-b223-e2fed0283df2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_23d2d4f3-25a0-453b-901b-4fb7343bbe85" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_258546b5-b1ac-41ba-93d9-cdd611092816" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_23d2d4f3-25a0-453b-901b-4fb7343bbe85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_258546b5-b1ac-41ba-93d9-cdd611092816" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherMachineryAndEquipmentMember_648f8b03-99c1-4d13-97af-c4e3a3d8a3ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherMachineryAndEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_23d2d4f3-25a0-453b-901b-4fb7343bbe85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherMachineryAndEquipmentMember_648f8b03-99c1-4d13-97af-c4e3a3d8a3ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_EquipmentAndSoftwareMember_834c8a57-f48d-46fa-a699-4a83ba15a1df" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_EquipmentAndSoftwareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_23d2d4f3-25a0-453b-901b-4fb7343bbe85" xlink:to="loc_shen_EquipmentAndSoftwareMember_834c8a57-f48d-46fa-a699-4a83ba15a1df" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic0f5e62cba7e41f3babccdf6c6f18aea_GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_586e694c-83eb-4300-8b34-298bc6537dde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_0377ba13-d188-45c6-87ee-1d062a319b7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_586e694c-83eb-4300-8b34-298bc6537dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_0377ba13-d188-45c6-87ee-1d062a319b7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_f0807de6-71a1-4b77-bbc6-c96bc7d1fc83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_586e694c-83eb-4300-8b34-298bc6537dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_f0807de6-71a1-4b77-bbc6-c96bc7d1fc83" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_6c8d6b29-713e-45f5-bd21-bf91110eae9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_586e694c-83eb-4300-8b34-298bc6537dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_6c8d6b29-713e-45f5-bd21-bf91110eae9f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_34f35ab6-7528-4cce-bc6e-74471c4ad7bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_586e694c-83eb-4300-8b34-298bc6537dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_34f35ab6-7528-4cce-bc6e-74471c4ad7bf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_8af0174e-9e86-4b1b-be7c-9fbe7950d4d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_586e694c-83eb-4300-8b34-298bc6537dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_8af0174e-9e86-4b1b-be7c-9fbe7950d4d9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_bf8253be-76e3-4d5c-956d-1726dbcde1a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_586e694c-83eb-4300-8b34-298bc6537dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_bf8253be-76e3-4d5c-956d-1726dbcde1a6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill_b12bc296-a73b-4288-8aea-5634599b4d65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_586e694c-83eb-4300-8b34-298bc6537dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill_b12bc296-a73b-4288-8aea-5634599b4d65" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_f4ada31c-c0b7-410d-a907-59a5f5996939" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_586e694c-83eb-4300-8b34-298bc6537dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_f4ada31c-c0b7-410d-a907-59a5f5996939" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_efbaf1a9-5d5a-4640-9a5f-28e6c8cc2c4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_586e694c-83eb-4300-8b34-298bc6537dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_efbaf1a9-5d5a-4640-9a5f-28e6c8cc2c4b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_c29d7c0c-9da7-4539-9a46-be8b63bd549f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_efbaf1a9-5d5a-4640-9a5f-28e6c8cc2c4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_c29d7c0c-9da7-4539-9a46-be8b63bd549f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c29d7c0c-9da7-4539-9a46-be8b63bd549f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_c29d7c0c-9da7-4539-9a46-be8b63bd549f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c29d7c0c-9da7-4539-9a46-be8b63bd549f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_9c832018-6261-44fd-a64f-54ec2dcdd416" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_c29d7c0c-9da7-4539-9a46-be8b63bd549f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_9c832018-6261-44fd-a64f-54ec2dcdd416" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember_ab7b4202-f412-4962-89ca-076d70c818b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_9c832018-6261-44fd-a64f-54ec2dcdd416" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchiseRightsMember_ab7b4202-f412-4962-89ca-076d70c818b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember_80c59dff-8723-41c7-b4cb-19972d3779a4" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_9c832018-6261-44fd-a64f-54ec2dcdd416" xlink:to="loc_shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember_80c59dff-8723-41c7-b4cb-19972d3779a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_RailroadCrossingRightsMember_4baa08d9-5d0a-498d-b1f2-0c75b9b80af3" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_RailroadCrossingRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_9c832018-6261-44fd-a64f-54ec2dcdd416" xlink:to="loc_shen_RailroadCrossingRightsMember_4baa08d9-5d0a-498d-b1f2-0c75b9b80af3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_385ae146-9079-48bf-a05b-0bd78c09e7d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_efbaf1a9-5d5a-4640-9a5f-28e6c8cc2c4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_385ae146-9079-48bf-a05b-0bd78c09e7d0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_385ae146-9079-48bf-a05b-0bd78c09e7d0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_385ae146-9079-48bf-a05b-0bd78c09e7d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_385ae146-9079-48bf-a05b-0bd78c09e7d0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_318246db-eaa8-4e01-995a-b53e4cfbd2e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_385ae146-9079-48bf-a05b-0bd78c09e7d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_318246db-eaa8-4e01-995a-b53e4cfbd2e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember_28875b55-fa51-4f33-b417-508dd27258a6" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_318246db-eaa8-4e01-995a-b53e4cfbd2e4" xlink:to="loc_shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember_28875b55-fa51-4f33-b417-508dd27258a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_c022cd23-2e6c-4d51-b64c-f5666a2257c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_318246db-eaa8-4e01-995a-b53e4cfbd2e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_c022cd23-2e6c-4d51-b64c-f5666a2257c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember_e0dc29e7-42c5-4559-8676-4c5185bd4c3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_318246db-eaa8-4e01-995a-b53e4cfbd2e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember_e0dc29e7-42c5-4559-8676-4c5185bd4c3f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_38477b00-0d62-43f7-8303-e038b3ff100d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_efbaf1a9-5d5a-4640-9a5f-28e6c8cc2c4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_38477b00-0d62-43f7-8303-e038b3ff100d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_38477b00-0d62-43f7-8303-e038b3ff100d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_38477b00-0d62-43f7-8303-e038b3ff100d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_38477b00-0d62-43f7-8303-e038b3ff100d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_49eeddc4-43ff-4df4-b5c8-83b5efe52458" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_38477b00-0d62-43f7-8303-e038b3ff100d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_49eeddc4-43ff-4df4-b5c8-83b5efe52458" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_BroadbandSegmentMember_64c56445-a849-4426-9451-d647b3fb8758" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_BroadbandSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_49eeddc4-43ff-4df4-b5c8-83b5efe52458" xlink:to="loc_shen_BroadbandSegmentMember_64c56445-a849-4426-9451-d647b3fb8758" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i58d62e6d74814540902587003af34043_GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_8768dce1-7768-4043-b69c-12b0540a89bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_b1caa333-c51d-474b-b294-26215c037d75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_8768dce1-7768-4043-b69c-12b0540a89bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_b1caa333-c51d-474b-b294-26215c037d75" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired_7a0b684a-bda1-4166-b8e0-90df1826d0a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_8768dce1-7768-4043-b69c-12b0540a89bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired_7a0b684a-bda1-4166-b8e0-90df1826d0a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_PaymentsForProceedsForDepositsOnSpectrumLeases_88ebafd3-908e-4834-ab0a-6e05d49efd8d" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_PaymentsForProceedsForDepositsOnSpectrumLeases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_8768dce1-7768-4043-b69c-12b0540a89bf" xlink:to="loc_shen_PaymentsForProceedsForDepositsOnSpectrumLeases_88ebafd3-908e-4834-ab0a-6e05d49efd8d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets_6ca192e5-4fae-4a3e-935d-4a8b627b9326" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_8768dce1-7768-4043-b69c-12b0540a89bf" xlink:to="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets_6ca192e5-4fae-4a3e-935d-4a8b627b9326" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationFiniteLivedIntangibleAssets_9f40ff0d-b678-4396-9f8a-cdb9c537038a" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationFiniteLivedIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_8768dce1-7768-4043-b69c-12b0540a89bf" xlink:to="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationFiniteLivedIntangibleAssets_9f40ff0d-b678-4396-9f8a-cdb9c537038a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseLiabilities_f3b68f9a-0f99-44b0-9f5a-26a36d4b60a6" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_8768dce1-7768-4043-b69c-12b0540a89bf" xlink:to="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseLiabilities_f3b68f9a-0f99-44b0-9f5a-26a36d4b60a6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_5c00adb9-f45d-4fc5-9cdb-5f19e2f5952a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_8768dce1-7768-4043-b69c-12b0540a89bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_5c00adb9-f45d-4fc5-9cdb-5f19e2f5952a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b405487c-e19b-41b3-8037-eadf458f680c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_5c00adb9-f45d-4fc5-9cdb-5f19e2f5952a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b405487c-e19b-41b3-8037-eadf458f680c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_b405487c-e19b-41b3-8037-eadf458f680c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b405487c-e19b-41b3-8037-eadf458f680c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_b405487c-e19b-41b3-8037-eadf458f680c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_04b3720a-2093-4215-837c-b77f46f0d91c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b405487c-e19b-41b3-8037-eadf458f680c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_04b3720a-2093-4215-837c-b77f46f0d91c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember_71d5a944-fba1-40ae-a7b3-ba7c53e6af15" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_04b3720a-2093-4215-837c-b77f46f0d91c" xlink:to="loc_shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember_71d5a944-fba1-40ae-a7b3-ba7c53e6af15" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_cd68bf3a-294a-4a85-9a64-54db21ba27e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_5c00adb9-f45d-4fc5-9cdb-5f19e2f5952a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_cd68bf3a-294a-4a85-9a64-54db21ba27e8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_cd68bf3a-294a-4a85-9a64-54db21ba27e8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_cd68bf3a-294a-4a85-9a64-54db21ba27e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_cd68bf3a-294a-4a85-9a64-54db21ba27e8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_2d2d19e3-a273-4836-8dd9-b19c8d0e0804" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_cd68bf3a-294a-4a85-9a64-54db21ba27e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_2d2d19e3-a273-4836-8dd9-b19c8d0e0804" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_SpectrumPurchaseAgreementsMember_06880f35-ed2c-4b58-96dd-af640768f5c5" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_SpectrumPurchaseAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_2d2d19e3-a273-4836-8dd9-b19c8d0e0804" xlink:to="loc_shen_SpectrumPurchaseAgreementsMember_06880f35-ed2c-4b58-96dd-af640768f5c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d92a5576-dde4-4f83-b84f-a86b2a1489a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_5c00adb9-f45d-4fc5-9cdb-5f19e2f5952a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d92a5576-dde4-4f83-b84f-a86b2a1489a4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d92a5576-dde4-4f83-b84f-a86b2a1489a4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d92a5576-dde4-4f83-b84f-a86b2a1489a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d92a5576-dde4-4f83-b84f-a86b2a1489a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_e319b862-9cc9-4d13-afce-b10a8dcdd73e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d92a5576-dde4-4f83-b84f-a86b2a1489a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_e319b862-9cc9-4d13-afce-b10a8dcdd73e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_3652b977-79ed-4d28-916b-0decb3cfeba9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_e319b862-9cc9-4d13-afce-b10a8dcdd73e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_3652b977-79ed-4d28-916b-0decb3cfeba9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsEstimatedUsefulLifeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsEstimatedUsefulLifeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsEstimatedUsefulLifeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i9d91f596bd2e4452bc9a6f51a6528bda_GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsEstimatedUsefulLifeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_8b528ce2-a657-4158-b590-e1d915047cf6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_7fe61af3-c2af-49ab-aad8-2c146df661c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_8b528ce2-a657-4158-b590-e1d915047cf6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_7fe61af3-c2af-49ab-aad8-2c146df661c1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_ff19ff25-86f1-45cc-8dda-106e3bc702e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_8b528ce2-a657-4158-b590-e1d915047cf6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_ff19ff25-86f1-45cc-8dda-106e3bc702e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b8be7ff5-85d8-4cee-869d-0337d74592f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_ff19ff25-86f1-45cc-8dda-106e3bc702e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b8be7ff5-85d8-4cee-869d-0337d74592f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_b8be7ff5-85d8-4cee-869d-0337d74592f1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b8be7ff5-85d8-4cee-869d-0337d74592f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_b8be7ff5-85d8-4cee-869d-0337d74592f1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_1e45a659-3c78-41f9-b70c-4ade29ca5eac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_b8be7ff5-85d8-4cee-869d-0337d74592f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_1e45a659-3c78-41f9-b70c-4ade29ca5eac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_AcquiredSubscribersBroadbandMember_ccf6a138-6a11-46c3-ad8b-f9e5994ed44a" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_AcquiredSubscribersBroadbandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_1e45a659-3c78-41f9-b70c-4ade29ca5eac" xlink:to="loc_shen_AcquiredSubscribersBroadbandMember_ccf6a138-6a11-46c3-ad8b-f9e5994ed44a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember_04387389-3b55-4dc9-ad98-c002528c9759" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_1e45a659-3c78-41f9-b70c-4ade29ca5eac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember_04387389-3b55-4dc9-ad98-c002528c9759" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_41d5e36b-5b84-44af-821b-9de609508444" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_ff19ff25-86f1-45cc-8dda-106e3bc702e3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_41d5e36b-5b84-44af-821b-9de609508444" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_41d5e36b-5b84-44af-821b-9de609508444_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_41d5e36b-5b84-44af-821b-9de609508444" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_41d5e36b-5b84-44af-821b-9de609508444_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_e6149c97-0568-4347-8c5a-4cbb6e29095a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_41d5e36b-5b84-44af-821b-9de609508444" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_e6149c97-0568-4347-8c5a-4cbb6e29095a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_381be46f-bf24-4295-8275-b3cfacd3a18f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_e6149c97-0568-4347-8c5a-4cbb6e29095a" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_381be46f-bf24-4295-8275-b3cfacd3a18f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_06e64287-c093-4dc4-bef7-e3c2a1d0740f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_e6149c97-0568-4347-8c5a-4cbb6e29095a" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_06e64287-c093-4dc4-bef7-e3c2a1d0740f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/OtherAssetsandAccruedLiabilitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#OtherAssetsandAccruedLiabilitiesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/OtherAssetsandAccruedLiabilitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i334ac773cd1b4b919848da61cdc8f850_OtherAssetsandAccruedLiabilitiesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b53f9e54-f692-4fff-a98f-562bf6c07b42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_2554dd55-93ab-4b1e-af9f-dc7c89f9f0e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b53f9e54-f692-4fff-a98f-562bf6c07b42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_2554dd55-93ab-4b1e-af9f-dc7c89f9f0e3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_30c53e5e-c251-457e-8d04-85059acf2ddb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b53f9e54-f692-4fff-a98f-562bf6c07b42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_30c53e5e-c251-457e-8d04-85059acf2ddb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_ad488fdb-ec01-42ea-bb0c-7fda2eb432c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b53f9e54-f692-4fff-a98f-562bf6c07b42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_ad488fdb-ec01-42ea-bb0c-7fda2eb432c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_05972ac7-4b74-4a09-a528-cf56959beb19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_ad488fdb-ec01-42ea-bb0c-7fda2eb432c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_05972ac7-4b74-4a09-a528-cf56959beb19" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_05972ac7-4b74-4a09-a528-cf56959beb19_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_05972ac7-4b74-4a09-a528-cf56959beb19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_05972ac7-4b74-4a09-a528-cf56959beb19_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_f74fc392-d459-428a-86e0-6fb4e6f69a91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_05972ac7-4b74-4a09-a528-cf56959beb19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_f74fc392-d459-428a-86e0-6fb4e6f69a91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_WorkforceReductionProgramMember_7161a6ee-e34b-4b36-82bb-b8793dc4b82d" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_WorkforceReductionProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_f74fc392-d459-428a-86e0-6fb4e6f69a91" xlink:to="loc_shen_WorkforceReductionProgramMember_7161a6ee-e34b-4b36-82bb-b8793dc4b82d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_e3211ce1-eeff-49c9-a543-34f741a9b71d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_ad488fdb-ec01-42ea-bb0c-7fda2eb432c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_e3211ce1-eeff-49c9-a543-34f741a9b71d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_e3211ce1-eeff-49c9-a543-34f741a9b71d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_e3211ce1-eeff-49c9-a543-34f741a9b71d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_e3211ce1-eeff-49c9-a543-34f741a9b71d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_ab66ef25-657b-4b1c-98a4-73efea8d075d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_e3211ce1-eeff-49c9-a543-34f741a9b71d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_ab66ef25-657b-4b1c-98a4-73efea8d075d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember_4e868945-2fbc-4f77-bf9b-384a49f1effb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_ab66ef25-657b-4b1c-98a4-73efea8d075d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember_4e868945-2fbc-4f77-bf9b-384a49f1effb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_9607a2cc-967f-41fc-b1bd-41c7a9758c33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_ab66ef25-657b-4b1c-98a4-73efea8d075d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_9607a2cc-967f-41fc-b1bd-41c7a9758c33" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#DebtNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idbc0b0a362be4ff89cb6517fae2cd176_DebtNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c23d0a8a-8fd9-4c03-8327-3cea29a89a43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_7a993ba5-6ca7-4ca3-ad0c-c5f3046019c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c23d0a8a-8fd9-4c03-8327-3cea29a89a43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_7a993ba5-6ca7-4ca3-ad0c-c5f3046019c6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_613adca2-8b27-4cc9-a287-f88f3fbadc38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c23d0a8a-8fd9-4c03-8327-3cea29a89a43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_613adca2-8b27-4cc9-a287-f88f3fbadc38" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_13e73f7c-b412-4435-82f9-b0b5df4a930b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c23d0a8a-8fd9-4c03-8327-3cea29a89a43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_13e73f7c-b412-4435-82f9-b0b5df4a930b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_55656cad-eae6-41e8-8e11-7bd52da0fffa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPaidNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c23d0a8a-8fd9-4c03-8327-3cea29a89a43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_55656cad-eae6-41e8-8e11-7bd52da0fffa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount_b4c0a6ae-2e23-4e0b-835b-2acf016725d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c23d0a8a-8fd9-4c03-8327-3cea29a89a43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount_b4c0a6ae-2e23-4e0b-835b-2acf016725d6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_5d3411c7-ba6c-4c12-b54a-f8ebecc8c017" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c23d0a8a-8fd9-4c03-8327-3cea29a89a43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_5d3411c7-ba6c-4c12-b54a-f8ebecc8c017" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal_0b2a776c-de7d-45f4-bcdd-4424bd024340" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c23d0a8a-8fd9-4c03-8327-3cea29a89a43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal_0b2a776c-de7d-45f4-bcdd-4424bd024340" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_38aed9a3-24e0-46fc-8c3f-289cc82d0587" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c23d0a8a-8fd9-4c03-8327-3cea29a89a43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_38aed9a3-24e0-46fc-8c3f-289cc82d0587" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_fb505406-e6c1-435d-960c-9f8c98fd7aed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_38aed9a3-24e0-46fc-8c3f-289cc82d0587" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_fb505406-e6c1-435d-960c-9f8c98fd7aed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_fb505406-e6c1-435d-960c-9f8c98fd7aed_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_fb505406-e6c1-435d-960c-9f8c98fd7aed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_fb505406-e6c1-435d-960c-9f8c98fd7aed_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_03c48682-74f1-491d-9cde-fa4bcfaef8eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_fb505406-e6c1-435d-960c-9f8c98fd7aed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_03c48682-74f1-491d-9cde-fa4bcfaef8eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_a6d72976-9141-45b7-bbf7-72a8727ac4d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_03c48682-74f1-491d-9cde-fa4bcfaef8eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_a6d72976-9141-45b7-bbf7-72a8727ac4d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9f71d26f-71dc-44ce-8e0f-b7fd78e39712" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_38aed9a3-24e0-46fc-8c3f-289cc82d0587" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9f71d26f-71dc-44ce-8e0f-b7fd78e39712" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_9f71d26f-71dc-44ce-8e0f-b7fd78e39712_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9f71d26f-71dc-44ce-8e0f-b7fd78e39712" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_9f71d26f-71dc-44ce-8e0f-b7fd78e39712_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_c22f8ff1-f74e-4824-ac46-9e55a3fae5ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9f71d26f-71dc-44ce-8e0f-b7fd78e39712" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_c22f8ff1-f74e-4824-ac46-9e55a3fae5ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_TermLoanA1Member_9299e00b-13e4-4ce6-b75e-f237ac279a48" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_TermLoanA1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_c22f8ff1-f74e-4824-ac46-9e55a3fae5ce" xlink:to="loc_shen_TermLoanA1Member_9299e00b-13e4-4ce6-b75e-f237ac279a48" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_TermLoanA2Member_96cec02d-5163-483f-8fa5-922e0d6650b9" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_TermLoanA2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_c22f8ff1-f74e-4824-ac46-9e55a3fae5ce" xlink:to="loc_shen_TermLoanA2Member_96cec02d-5163-483f-8fa5-922e0d6650b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_dca0efe2-e2a1-4545-8038-db7ab1e265fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_38aed9a3-24e0-46fc-8c3f-289cc82d0587" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_dca0efe2-e2a1-4545-8038-db7ab1e265fb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_dca0efe2-e2a1-4545-8038-db7ab1e265fb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_dca0efe2-e2a1-4545-8038-db7ab1e265fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_dca0efe2-e2a1-4545-8038-db7ab1e265fb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_26e6012c-09ca-4ae4-86f4-683f70df4985" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_dca0efe2-e2a1-4545-8038-db7ab1e265fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_26e6012c-09ca-4ae4-86f4-683f70df4985" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_5839bf6f-c9c2-4bfc-85ca-86fd109236cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_26e6012c-09ca-4ae4-86f4-683f70df4985" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_5839bf6f-c9c2-4bfc-85ca-86fd109236cc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_114c8dda-f3c5-4d87-bdae-3afc5980cb27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_38aed9a3-24e0-46fc-8c3f-289cc82d0587" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_114c8dda-f3c5-4d87-bdae-3afc5980cb27" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_114c8dda-f3c5-4d87-bdae-3afc5980cb27_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_114c8dda-f3c5-4d87-bdae-3afc5980cb27" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_114c8dda-f3c5-4d87-bdae-3afc5980cb27_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_975d116d-6a1f-45f0-bc3e-c5899abafcde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_114c8dda-f3c5-4d87-bdae-3afc5980cb27" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_975d116d-6a1f-45f0-bc3e-c5899abafcde" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_457f25a9-2064-4e3d-aeb8-c2d407e3e235" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_975d116d-6a1f-45f0-bc3e-c5899abafcde" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_457f25a9-2064-4e3d-aeb8-c2d407e3e235" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/DebtCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#DebtCreditAgreementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/DebtCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib4dd5794457845738839848c8addb436_DebtCreditAgreementDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_8d50360a-bbaf-49f6-b427-69f69c827909" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_7118ed47-c2e2-4a3d-993e-c9a5c546c539" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_8d50360a-bbaf-49f6-b427-69f69c827909" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_7118ed47-c2e2-4a3d-993e-c9a5c546c539" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_UnamortizedLoanFeesNet_d5953cf0-c6ab-4592-b32a-531d3e27b345" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_UnamortizedLoanFeesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_8d50360a-bbaf-49f6-b427-69f69c827909" xlink:to="loc_shen_UnamortizedLoanFeesNet_d5953cf0-c6ab-4592-b32a-531d3e27b345" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_LongTermDebtNetOfUnamortizedLoanFees_f1401e85-a730-4153-8d13-fed36c28dea8" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_LongTermDebtNetOfUnamortizedLoanFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_8d50360a-bbaf-49f6-b427-69f69c827909" xlink:to="loc_shen_LongTermDebtNetOfUnamortizedLoanFees_f1401e85-a730-4153-8d13-fed36c28dea8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4e5b837d-b730-4c18-9b8b-2f38e01a34fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_8d50360a-bbaf-49f6-b427-69f69c827909" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4e5b837d-b730-4c18-9b8b-2f38e01a34fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ef51dc0e-41bb-4838-90a2-f3da35ad5439" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4e5b837d-b730-4c18-9b8b-2f38e01a34fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ef51dc0e-41bb-4838-90a2-f3da35ad5439" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ef51dc0e-41bb-4838-90a2-f3da35ad5439_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ef51dc0e-41bb-4838-90a2-f3da35ad5439" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ef51dc0e-41bb-4838-90a2-f3da35ad5439_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1ea218c4-c952-4543-b993-0ef4abd82182" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ef51dc0e-41bb-4838-90a2-f3da35ad5439" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1ea218c4-c952-4543-b993-0ef4abd82182" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_TermLoanA1Member_04c6c6e0-7ea9-486d-9c6e-842874caaf9d" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_TermLoanA1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1ea218c4-c952-4543-b993-0ef4abd82182" xlink:to="loc_shen_TermLoanA1Member_04c6c6e0-7ea9-486d-9c6e-842874caaf9d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_TermLoanA2Member_26b63c0b-1a71-440b-8889-67085134d6fc" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_TermLoanA2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1ea218c4-c952-4543-b993-0ef4abd82182" xlink:to="loc_shen_TermLoanA2Member_26b63c0b-1a71-440b-8889-67085134d6fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ida786fe9b7394d4ba83b8f8f368a916d_IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_d0dfe2f4-61bc-48f7-8cd3-6da908ff6eb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet_341d63fa-38a7-46ab-b2b2-ebbb5e6a6340" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_d0dfe2f4-61bc-48f7-8cd3-6da908ff6eb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet_341d63fa-38a7-46ab-b2b2-ebbb5e6a6340" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds_474e7e62-3cca-457a-916d-6dbc5c964001" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_d0dfe2f4-61bc-48f7-8cd3-6da908ff6eb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds_474e7e62-3cca-457a-916d-6dbc5c964001" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsStateAndLocal_f36543fb-95b9-4228-b60b-a8fe6f5d2e46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsStateAndLocal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_d0dfe2f4-61bc-48f7-8cd3-6da908ff6eb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsStateAndLocal_f36543fb-95b9-4228-b60b-a8fe6f5d2e46" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards_78c34e01-e947-465f-b554-8d55babf728e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_d0dfe2f4-61bc-48f7-8cd3-6da908ff6eb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards_78c34e01-e947-465f-b554-8d55babf728e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_90d73227-42ef-4d8c-a1c5-5a187f7ddd3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_d0dfe2f4-61bc-48f7-8cd3-6da908ff6eb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_90d73227-42ef-4d8c-a1c5-5a187f7ddd3b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits_42930eb4-9b56-4bd7-b67c-a604254af7cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_d0dfe2f4-61bc-48f7-8cd3-6da908ff6eb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits_42930eb4-9b56-4bd7-b67c-a604254af7cb" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_85c51ed0-b694-4ffc-ab55-0f0892ca8431" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_d0dfe2f4-61bc-48f7-8cd3-6da908ff6eb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_85c51ed0-b694-4ffc-ab55-0f0892ca8431" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_a5dfabfe-e066-4ac7-b7fa-60ae993572c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_85c51ed0-b694-4ffc-ab55-0f0892ca8431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_a5dfabfe-e066-4ac7-b7fa-60ae993572c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_a5dfabfe-e066-4ac7-b7fa-60ae993572c2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_a5dfabfe-e066-4ac7-b7fa-60ae993572c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_a5dfabfe-e066-4ac7-b7fa-60ae993572c2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0f6248e4-88fe-403a-b1a4-1e55e3880272" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_a5dfabfe-e066-4ac7-b7fa-60ae993572c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0f6248e4-88fe-403a-b1a4-1e55e3880272" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember_86612c47-be02-4dc6-9b00-5b96d97d5343" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0f6248e4-88fe-403a-b1a4-1e55e3880272" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember_86612c47-be02-4dc6-9b00-5b96d97d5343" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_9636fa49-0c00-4d64-aec9-31e1e1e4bf40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0f6248e4-88fe-403a-b1a4-1e55e3880272" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_9636fa49-0c00-4d64-aec9-31e1e1e4bf40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis_c41478fc-6dbf-4770-8c59-e3196a7d481c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_85c51ed0-b694-4ffc-ab55-0f0892ca8431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis_c41478fc-6dbf-4770-8c59-e3196a7d481c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TaxPeriodDomain_c41478fc-6dbf-4770-8c59-e3196a7d481c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TaxPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis_c41478fc-6dbf-4770-8c59-e3196a7d481c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TaxPeriodDomain_c41478fc-6dbf-4770-8c59-e3196a7d481c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TaxPeriodDomain_c4510863-0ad6-4260-a8ae-ab4b2c972bc1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TaxPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TaxPeriodAxis_c41478fc-6dbf-4770-8c59-e3196a7d481c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TaxPeriodDomain_c4510863-0ad6-4260-a8ae-ab4b2c972bc1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_SubjectToExpirationAfter2027Member_7b18dda3-36a5-487f-8d98-1f56070b5920" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_SubjectToExpirationAfter2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TaxPeriodDomain_c4510863-0ad6-4260-a8ae-ab4b2c972bc1" xlink:to="loc_shen_SubjectToExpirationAfter2027Member_7b18dda3-36a5-487f-8d98-1f56070b5920" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/StockCompensationEarningsperShareandDividendsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#StockCompensationEarningsperShareandDividendsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/StockCompensationEarningsperShareandDividendsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i49711f07b3a649d391141a8ad34564e7_StockCompensationEarningsperShareandDividendsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_f06ae5e6-ab4b-4646-97c5-d1133b62c6c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_f06ae5e6-ab4b-4646-97c5-d1133b62c6c7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_a9ba9fa9-4f96-4d7f-8baf-07504b442f79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_a9ba9fa9-4f96-4d7f-8baf-07504b442f79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_ea0203aa-37c1-486b-8c05-b770082838c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_ea0203aa-37c1-486b-8c05-b770082838c0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_43ef20f8-8e9d-4834-b61e-306877063f40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_43ef20f8-8e9d-4834-b61e-306877063f40" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_a58cda9b-23d5-478a-b4a2-28ee7c942fa4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_a58cda9b-23d5-478a-b4a2-28ee7c942fa4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_43953c31-5ca1-476b-8d34-a4acaf5f1136" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_43953c31-5ca1-476b-8d34-a4acaf5f1136" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_6f84feae-5268-41c0-916a-a6904b2cb86b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_6f84feae-5268-41c0-916a-a6904b2cb86b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_b401a307-01b6-4441-9d6c-9b566caad64f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_b401a307-01b6-4441-9d6c-9b566caad64f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_0f328a80-fb4b-42b8-a9e7-64eed1270ec3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_0f328a80-fb4b-42b8-a9e7-64eed1270ec3" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_ffaf72d8-f9ce-4f11-84a9-5439d4f5a8eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_ffaf72d8-f9ce-4f11-84a9-5439d4f5a8eb" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_8b705af8-9870-4e9b-b678-6d8cf7e8fc7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_8b705af8-9870-4e9b-b678-6d8cf7e8fc7c" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_3b3d930d-f507-4f93-a4b3-9b3e596783e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_3b3d930d-f507-4f93-a4b3-9b3e596783e3" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriodPercentage_0695ca90-367a-4fdf-a725-5b8f07ef6db7" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriodPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_shen_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriodPercentage_0695ca90-367a-4fdf-a725-5b8f07ef6db7" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_c0af21ed-d3f9-430c-822c-db02e3c67125" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_c0af21ed-d3f9-430c-822c-db02e3c67125" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_6ecce2c2-2c35-4e54-865a-c3902b260a07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_6ecce2c2-2c35-4e54-865a-c3902b260a07" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_b9cae5f9-88fb-4c03-a1f0-ba8c2847fc3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_b9cae5f9-88fb-4c03-a1f0-ba8c2847fc3b" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_454cea3d-ceb3-45ef-b4f8-9225a3c6c9f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_454cea3d-ceb3-45ef-b4f8-9225a3c6c9f5" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_cacf3356-a8ce-4e16-b13e-e2c6619c4b4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_cacf3356-a8ce-4e16-b13e-e2c6619c4b4a" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_696b7804-d2b4-42bf-a3e3-4770cb30ee15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b1be5917-f0c8-4ecf-9d43-e2bce44d9b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_696b7804-d2b4-42bf-a3e3-4770cb30ee15" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d78d9116-3e67-4f1e-bf47-0b659ff44e4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_696b7804-d2b4-42bf-a3e3-4770cb30ee15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d78d9116-3e67-4f1e-bf47-0b659ff44e4b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d78d9116-3e67-4f1e-bf47-0b659ff44e4b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d78d9116-3e67-4f1e-bf47-0b659ff44e4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d78d9116-3e67-4f1e-bf47-0b659ff44e4b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f11771f5-f59e-49ff-9e58-a550cfd845b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_d78d9116-3e67-4f1e-bf47-0b659ff44e4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f11771f5-f59e-49ff-9e58-a550cfd845b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_3dd03eee-c8cb-4f75-b26f-9dd668cb4395" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f11771f5-f59e-49ff-9e58-a550cfd845b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_3dd03eee-c8cb-4f75-b26f-9dd668cb4395" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnAwardsMember_f75fd780-2673-432d-9607-ff54498e4332" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnAwardsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f11771f5-f59e-49ff-9e58-a550cfd845b8" xlink:to="loc_shen_RelativeTotalShareholderReturnAwardsMember_f75fd780-2673-432d-9607-ff54498e4332" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1c32297f-1917-4321-b6be-af21dcb1508b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_696b7804-d2b4-42bf-a3e3-4770cb30ee15" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1c32297f-1917-4321-b6be-af21dcb1508b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_1c32297f-1917-4321-b6be-af21dcb1508b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1c32297f-1917-4321-b6be-af21dcb1508b" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_1c32297f-1917-4321-b6be-af21dcb1508b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_865ea80e-ad8c-4f97-ac6e-1b21e28e5a0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1c32297f-1917-4321-b6be-af21dcb1508b" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_865ea80e-ad8c-4f97-ac6e-1b21e28e5a0f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_2263c67a-0ca3-4191-bb71-97bac941b372" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_865ea80e-ad8c-4f97-ac6e-1b21e28e5a0f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_2263c67a-0ca3-4191-bb71-97bac941b372" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_425644aa-554a-4dfd-92f0-ea2719278252" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_865ea80e-ad8c-4f97-ac6e-1b21e28e5a0f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_425644aa-554a-4dfd-92f0-ea2719278252" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_71074e46-ed5e-429b-b830-922ad14ecc6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_696b7804-d2b4-42bf-a3e3-4770cb30ee15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_71074e46-ed5e-429b-b830-922ad14ecc6b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_71074e46-ed5e-429b-b830-922ad14ecc6b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_71074e46-ed5e-429b-b830-922ad14ecc6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_71074e46-ed5e-429b-b830-922ad14ecc6b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_b26f57fd-2b47-4392-b61f-4300fbed855f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_71074e46-ed5e-429b-b830-922ad14ecc6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_b26f57fd-2b47-4392-b61f-4300fbed855f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_ThePlan2014Member_eb09409a-a17b-402b-8adf-e224023a8955" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_ThePlan2014Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_b26f57fd-2b47-4392-b61f-4300fbed855f" xlink:to="loc_shen_ThePlan2014Member_eb09409a-a17b-402b-8adf-e224023a8955" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/GovernmentGrantsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#GovernmentGrantsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/GovernmentGrantsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i352bf3d17d06411abefc8141cb24dcc4_GovernmentGrantsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_GovernmentGrantsLineItems_ebbcf421-58e6-43c6-801b-e1f3c865fd0a" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_GovernmentGrantsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrantsReceivable_51d5add0-840a-431d-ba2a-546803de410c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GrantsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_shen_GovernmentGrantsLineItems_ebbcf421-58e6-43c6-801b-e1f3c865fd0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrantsReceivable_51d5add0-840a-431d-ba2a-546803de410c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_GovernmentGrantsTable_d79646b5-c6ff-4944-b5c4-7efad4fc2aaa" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_GovernmentGrantsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_shen_GovernmentGrantsLineItems_ebbcf421-58e6-43c6-801b-e1f3c865fd0a" xlink:to="loc_shen_GovernmentGrantsTable_d79646b5-c6ff-4944-b5c4-7efad4fc2aaa" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_1804b756-5af7-4e6e-8268-cf2c6c378bfd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_shen_GovernmentGrantsTable_d79646b5-c6ff-4944-b5c4-7efad4fc2aaa" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_1804b756-5af7-4e6e-8268-cf2c6c378bfd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_1804b756-5af7-4e6e-8268-cf2c6c378bfd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_1804b756-5af7-4e6e-8268-cf2c6c378bfd" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_1804b756-5af7-4e6e-8268-cf2c6c378bfd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_6c480fe7-6905-4e10-9673-b85f7f0423a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_1804b756-5af7-4e6e-8268-cf2c6c378bfd" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_6c480fe7-6905-4e10-9673-b85f7f0423a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_VA_981e176b-50af-4b02-ac93-b4d98f4e75d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2022/stpr-2022.xsd#stpr_VA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_6c480fe7-6905-4e10-9673-b85f7f0423a9" xlink:to="loc_stpr_VA_981e176b-50af-4b02-ac93-b4d98f4e75d8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_MD_e176fec1-1675-4287-b78f-591c22141fa0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2022/stpr-2022.xsd#stpr_MD"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_6c480fe7-6905-4e10-9673-b85f7f0423a9" xlink:to="loc_stpr_MD_e176fec1-1675-4287-b78f-591c22141fa0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_WV_30a49e6b-a4ad-4dde-9b8a-8a297418ee02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2022/stpr-2022.xsd#stpr_WV"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_6c480fe7-6905-4e10-9673-b85f7f0423a9" xlink:to="loc_stpr_WV_30a49e6b-a4ad-4dde-9b8a-8a297418ee02" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_86d7610a-5216-46e3-a04e-ce4be75bfefc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_shen_GovernmentGrantsTable_d79646b5-c6ff-4944-b5c4-7efad4fc2aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_86d7610a-5216-46e3-a04e-ce4be75bfefc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_86d7610a-5216-46e3-a04e-ce4be75bfefc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_86d7610a-5216-46e3-a04e-ce4be75bfefc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_86d7610a-5216-46e3-a04e-ce4be75bfefc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_25ff1491-a426-4107-a32e-486db333267b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_86d7610a-5216-46e3-a04e-ce4be75bfefc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_25ff1491-a426-4107-a32e-486db333267b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_VirginiaTelecommunicationInitiativeMember_5061acbb-499d-4a0b-84e9-65af2acd6934" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_VirginiaTelecommunicationInitiativeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_25ff1491-a426-4107-a32e-486db333267b" xlink:to="loc_shen_VirginiaTelecommunicationInitiativeMember_5061acbb-499d-4a0b-84e9-65af2acd6934" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_RuralDigitalOpportunityFundMember_825d89c0-c37e-450f-908d-a40547cae175" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_RuralDigitalOpportunityFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_25ff1491-a426-4107-a32e-486db333267b" xlink:to="loc_shen_RuralDigitalOpportunityFundMember_825d89c0-c37e-450f-908d-a40547cae175" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_VirginiaTheConnectMarylandNetworkInfrastructureGrantProgramMember_90642900-7fc9-4882-93e5-c5413fc69739" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_VirginiaTheConnectMarylandNetworkInfrastructureGrantProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_25ff1491-a426-4107-a32e-486db333267b" xlink:to="loc_shen_VirginiaTheConnectMarylandNetworkInfrastructureGrantProgramMember_90642900-7fc9-4882-93e5-c5413fc69739" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_MajorBroadbandProjectsStrategiesMember_dce7fe0c-97a2-4d68-b847-99d60051a5f4" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_MajorBroadbandProjectsStrategiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_25ff1491-a426-4107-a32e-486db333267b" xlink:to="loc_shen_MajorBroadbandProjectsStrategiesMember_dce7fe0c-97a2-4d68-b847-99d60051a5f4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i136ba30238da4db98b786d508d687244_CommitmentsandContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_4e6aae24-2efe-46b1-9905-194ff9f81d78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_PaymentsForLongTermPurchaseCommitment_c4f3c10c-c9e4-400d-aebd-36f8f2bb8b7b" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_PaymentsForLongTermPurchaseCommitment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_4e6aae24-2efe-46b1-9905-194ff9f81d78" xlink:to="loc_shen_PaymentsForLongTermPurchaseCommitment_c4f3c10c-c9e4-400d-aebd-36f8f2bb8b7b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_5aa4d340-b00e-4247-adbc-6262aa60b3f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_4e6aae24-2efe-46b1-9905-194ff9f81d78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_5aa4d340-b00e-4247-adbc-6262aa60b3f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_e2f044ca-dbf5-400b-aa2a-7f9a97fc0997" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_5aa4d340-b00e-4247-adbc-6262aa60b3f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_e2f044ca-dbf5-400b-aa2a-7f9a97fc0997" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain_e2f044ca-dbf5-400b-aa2a-7f9a97fc0997_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_e2f044ca-dbf5-400b-aa2a-7f9a97fc0997" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain_e2f044ca-dbf5-400b-aa2a-7f9a97fc0997_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain_860df6bd-88b4-4c67-b2fb-11450c42ea3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_e2f044ca-dbf5-400b-aa2a-7f9a97fc0997" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain_860df6bd-88b4-4c67-b2fb-11450c42ea3d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_MarketingServicesAndITSoftewareLicencesMember_808fc626-2c80-48b2-9fc7-f5242493605c" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_MarketingServicesAndITSoftewareLicencesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain_860df6bd-88b4-4c67-b2fb-11450c42ea3d" xlink:to="loc_shen_MarketingServicesAndITSoftewareLicencesMember_808fc626-2c80-48b2-9fc7-f5242493605c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember_d13e673f-fe60-48cc-abad-ac1ec282b00c" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentCategoryOfItemPurchasedDomain_860df6bd-88b4-4c67-b2fb-11450c42ea3d" xlink:to="loc_shen_FCCSpectrumLicensesMember_d13e673f-fe60-48cc-abad-ac1ec282b00c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/SegmentReportingSelectedFinancialDataforSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#SegmentReportingSelectedFinancialDataforSegmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/SegmentReportingSelectedFinancialDataforSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6a4d87d738164365aefa0462fe96e955_SegmentReportingSelectedFinancialDataforSegmentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d4aa2f81-3ee4-467b-99e1-195d01ffb927" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedAbstract_54e0e54d-8192-4180-9af8-76efb32ea0ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d4aa2f81-3ee4-467b-99e1-195d01ffb927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedAbstract_54e0e54d-8192-4180-9af8-76efb32ea0ba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerAbstract_44c02b56-7cd8-48a1-97cf-fbf17acaa807" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedAbstract_54e0e54d-8192-4180-9af8-76efb32ea0ba" xlink:to="loc_shen_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerAbstract_44c02b56-7cd8-48a1-97cf-fbf17acaa807" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_7ff341f5-d57c-4416-9df3-2a1fc0c1308a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_shen_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerAbstract_44c02b56-7cd8-48a1-97cf-fbf17acaa807" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_7ff341f5-d57c-4416-9df3-2a1fc0c1308a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_3cf8d13c-9222-49fa-b06e-fb7de2002b23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedAbstract_54e0e54d-8192-4180-9af8-76efb32ea0ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_3cf8d13c-9222-49fa-b06e-fb7de2002b23" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_2195054a-b2df-407b-af4b-70b5ca195542" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_3cf8d13c-9222-49fa-b06e-fb7de2002b23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_2195054a-b2df-407b-af4b-70b5ca195542" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_d59e19b1-fe4a-497f-8a0e-b78054b02a0a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_3cf8d13c-9222-49fa-b06e-fb7de2002b23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_d59e19b1-fe4a-497f-8a0e-b78054b02a0a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_c51239ed-e8c4-4024-b38e-a7a3b8cfa9b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_3cf8d13c-9222-49fa-b06e-fb7de2002b23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_c51239ed-e8c4-4024-b38e-a7a3b8cfa9b0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_a0406edf-10ad-4968-8f33-71fcb22fea8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_3cf8d13c-9222-49fa-b06e-fb7de2002b23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_a0406edf-10ad-4968-8f33-71fcb22fea8c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_e95fe3af-d0f2-4ee4-990b-eaaf4c640127" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_3cf8d13c-9222-49fa-b06e-fb7de2002b23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_e95fe3af-d0f2-4ee4-990b-eaaf4c640127" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_7931e826-8f6b-4847-bf4c-63326584409b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedAbstract_54e0e54d-8192-4180-9af8-76efb32ea0ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_7931e826-8f6b-4847-bf4c-63326584409b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_71111295-d780-47c8-9990-67f571b8d68c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedAbstract_54e0e54d-8192-4180-9af8-76efb32ea0ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_71111295-d780-47c8-9990-67f571b8d68c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_b16d1187-7f2a-4ecb-88c1-0a770d79e0c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d4aa2f81-3ee4-467b-99e1-195d01ffb927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_b16d1187-7f2a-4ecb-88c1-0a770d79e0c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a4b977a1-57b2-4c4e-80bb-8fcad9fe2613" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d4aa2f81-3ee4-467b-99e1-195d01ffb927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a4b977a1-57b2-4c4e-80bb-8fcad9fe2613" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_59fff002-f8ac-4ff3-a39e-419b44bf4ba1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a4b977a1-57b2-4c4e-80bb-8fcad9fe2613" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_59fff002-f8ac-4ff3-a39e-419b44bf4ba1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_59fff002-f8ac-4ff3-a39e-419b44bf4ba1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_59fff002-f8ac-4ff3-a39e-419b44bf4ba1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_59fff002-f8ac-4ff3-a39e-419b44bf4ba1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_17a1aaa0-4dbc-4d01-89e5-e2cdb96fdfcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_59fff002-f8ac-4ff3-a39e-419b44bf4ba1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_17a1aaa0-4dbc-4d01-89e5-e2cdb96fdfcc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_ResidentialAndSMBMember_93ed4144-eae5-4a95-9c31-2577675fd72e" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_ResidentialAndSMBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_17a1aaa0-4dbc-4d01-89e5-e2cdb96fdfcc" xlink:to="loc_shen_ResidentialAndSMBMember_93ed4144-eae5-4a95-9c31-2577675fd72e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_CommercialFiberMember_20359fff-565e-48f8-a52d-9424e2383f2b" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_CommercialFiberMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_17a1aaa0-4dbc-4d01-89e5-e2cdb96fdfcc" xlink:to="loc_shen_CommercialFiberMember_20359fff-565e-48f8-a52d-9424e2383f2b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_CarrierAccessRevenueMember_c72b3c81-cbce-4787-8553-bceb35d1254a" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_CarrierAccessRevenueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_17a1aaa0-4dbc-4d01-89e5-e2cdb96fdfcc" xlink:to="loc_shen_CarrierAccessRevenueMember_c72b3c81-cbce-4787-8553-bceb35d1254a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_TowerLeaseMember_40ac5a72-76e7-42e4-b266-6a27f85be8aa" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_TowerLeaseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_17a1aaa0-4dbc-4d01-89e5-e2cdb96fdfcc" xlink:to="loc_shen_TowerLeaseMember_40ac5a72-76e7-42e4-b266-6a27f85be8aa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_ServiceandOtherMember_6158f0c5-aa88-44b8-841f-5198ac685cbe" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_ServiceandOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_17a1aaa0-4dbc-4d01-89e5-e2cdb96fdfcc" xlink:to="loc_shen_ServiceandOtherMember_6158f0c5-aa88-44b8-841f-5198ac685cbe" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ServiceMember_0c8f920c-a51d-46bb-9abe-8f0eb104af48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_17a1aaa0-4dbc-4d01-89e5-e2cdb96fdfcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ServiceMember_0c8f920c-a51d-46bb-9abe-8f0eb104af48" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8093a280-40fb-4dd4-a26e-6ce8226ce51b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a4b977a1-57b2-4c4e-80bb-8fcad9fe2613" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8093a280-40fb-4dd4-a26e-6ce8226ce51b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8093a280-40fb-4dd4-a26e-6ce8226ce51b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8093a280-40fb-4dd4-a26e-6ce8226ce51b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8093a280-40fb-4dd4-a26e-6ce8226ce51b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_671b6d68-7a57-48f3-8106-5bd0cedfce82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_8093a280-40fb-4dd4-a26e-6ce8226ce51b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_671b6d68-7a57-48f3-8106-5bd0cedfce82" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_88209c23-2c7e-486d-8da6-298c280984cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_671b6d68-7a57-48f3-8106-5bd0cedfce82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_88209c23-2c7e-486d-8da6-298c280984cb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_6ef7bf01-0b5a-4158-8340-21ccaa219891" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_671b6d68-7a57-48f3-8106-5bd0cedfce82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_6ef7bf01-0b5a-4158-8340-21ccaa219891" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_993dfe1e-ee87-4c71-8f8d-659fe5c06aba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_671b6d68-7a57-48f3-8106-5bd0cedfce82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_993dfe1e-ee87-4c71-8f8d-659fe5c06aba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_92cb830f-63e1-41b9-893a-3ce563dd1092" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a4b977a1-57b2-4c4e-80bb-8fcad9fe2613" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_92cb830f-63e1-41b9-893a-3ce563dd1092" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_92cb830f-63e1-41b9-893a-3ce563dd1092_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_92cb830f-63e1-41b9-893a-3ce563dd1092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_92cb830f-63e1-41b9-893a-3ce563dd1092_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_8e18c13b-6962-4ebd-aea1-efc5612de11b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_92cb830f-63e1-41b9-893a-3ce563dd1092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_8e18c13b-6962-4ebd-aea1-efc5612de11b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_BroadbandSegmentMember_f37e5d02-0ede-47dc-9a33-bedfdbbca136" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_BroadbandSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_8e18c13b-6962-4ebd-aea1-efc5612de11b" xlink:to="loc_shen_BroadbandSegmentMember_f37e5d02-0ede-47dc-9a33-bedfdbbca136" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_TowerSegmentMember_41913025-4417-4e46-9f27-fb61cf23ad4a" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_TowerSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_8e18c13b-6962-4ebd-aea1-efc5612de11b" xlink:to="loc_shen_TowerSegmentMember_41913025-4417-4e46-9f27-fb61cf23ad4a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_f004fdc6-eccc-49fc-961b-f3ff8b5c2d2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_8e18c13b-6962-4ebd-aea1-efc5612de11b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_f004fdc6-eccc-49fc-961b-f3ff8b5c2d2b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#DiscontinuedOperationsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i51cbd4bed1944cb28e0e409a60b5f01e_DiscontinuedOperationsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_1a46c1ea-2e13-49d4-a4e0-7bbdc041057e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_b117a41c-a1dc-4564-bdd6-5e92525407b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_1a46c1ea-2e13-49d4-a4e0-7bbdc041057e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_b117a41c-a1dc-4564-bdd6-5e92525407b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_DisposalGroupDiscontinuedOperationConsiderationWaivedManagementFees_7529db6a-7ebb-4d5e-a5b2-72e2f07440c7" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_DisposalGroupDiscontinuedOperationConsiderationWaivedManagementFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_1a46c1ea-2e13-49d4-a4e0-7bbdc041057e" xlink:to="loc_shen_DisposalGroupDiscontinuedOperationConsiderationWaivedManagementFees_7529db6a-7ebb-4d5e-a5b2-72e2f07440c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_acfe1a9a-f955-4aae-9af2-815ef8dc5b20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_1a46c1ea-2e13-49d4-a4e0-7bbdc041057e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_acfe1a9a-f955-4aae-9af2-815ef8dc5b20" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_285d925a-479f-4d22-b9c9-82b699b5ffe7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_acfe1a9a-f955-4aae-9af2-815ef8dc5b20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_285d925a-479f-4d22-b9c9-82b699b5ffe7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_285d925a-479f-4d22-b9c9-82b699b5ffe7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_285d925a-479f-4d22-b9c9-82b699b5ffe7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_285d925a-479f-4d22-b9c9-82b699b5ffe7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_bbd56545-3ffc-4aa9-9aff-4eab2de0d761" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_285d925a-479f-4d22-b9c9-82b699b5ffe7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_bbd56545-3ffc-4aa9-9aff-4eab2de0d761" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember_16a9b221-aff9-470d-a8d2-8f754d065af8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_bbd56545-3ffc-4aa9-9aff-4eab2de0d761" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember_16a9b221-aff9-470d-a8d2-8f754d065af8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#DiscontinuedOperationsIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ibcad8c6ceb6145cca470fa26b9a9b192_DiscontinuedOperationsIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_8aa826fd-f28e-4591-929c-ef0e040ad20b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_a81bf2d0-39eb-4338-be83-0f2c359e9ff7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_8aa826fd-f28e-4591-929c-ef0e040ad20b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_a81bf2d0-39eb-4338-be83-0f2c359e9ff7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue_c9ee495b-bf39-4b8a-bffb-7ed992203cea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_a81bf2d0-39eb-4338-be83-0f2c359e9ff7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue_c9ee495b-bf39-4b8a-bffb-7ed992203cea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_be9e0e14-9914-4de6-9d8a-3cf7ab9e2cb1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_8aa826fd-f28e-4591-929c-ef0e040ad20b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_be9e0e14-9914-4de6-9d8a-3cf7ab9e2cb1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold_6332adc2-3a14-45ee-b922-662a1856b191" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_be9e0e14-9914-4de6-9d8a-3cf7ab9e2cb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold_6332adc2-3a14-45ee-b922-662a1856b191" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_c1d49061-664b-44c0-9aa1-bac11db19280" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_be9e0e14-9914-4de6-9d8a-3cf7ab9e2cb1" xlink:to="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_c1d49061-664b-44c0-9aa1-bac11db19280" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationSeveranceExpense_9c8834c0-558b-489e-a18d-e9203e7b6ece" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationSeveranceExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_be9e0e14-9914-4de6-9d8a-3cf7ab9e2cb1" xlink:to="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationSeveranceExpense_9c8834c0-558b-489e-a18d-e9203e7b6ece" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization_10bb9a65-1558-4af2-9c8c-8c14b7a774e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_be9e0e14-9914-4de6-9d8a-3cf7ab9e2cb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization_10bb9a65-1558-4af2-9c8c-8c14b7a774e0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense_c1283b46-e6fd-42f2-ad1d-6ac6cb7b87d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_be9e0e14-9914-4de6-9d8a-3cf7ab9e2cb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense_c1283b46-e6fd-42f2-ad1d-6ac6cb7b87d6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss_0101d7a4-fe24-4636-a7e4-3792f39fc35b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_be9e0e14-9914-4de6-9d8a-3cf7ab9e2cb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss_0101d7a4-fe24-4636-a7e4-3792f39fc35b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncomeAndExpensesAbstract_98941637-afa8-4fa1-a913-fc35e580c976" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIncomeAndExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_8aa826fd-f28e-4591-929c-ef0e040ad20b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncomeAndExpensesAbstract_98941637-afa8-4fa1-a913-fc35e580c976" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationExtinguishmentOfDebt_41b75c2d-7117-4e3c-8396-b5595d0b00fb" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncomeAndExpensesAbstract_98941637-afa8-4fa1-a913-fc35e580c976" xlink:to="loc_shen_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationExtinguishmentOfDebt_41b75c2d-7117-4e3c-8396-b5595d0b00fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInterestExpense_a3cc3fa1-c9e0-47f8-b09a-9241a50ee420" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncomeAndExpensesAbstract_98941637-afa8-4fa1-a913-fc35e580c976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInterestExpense_a3cc3fa1-c9e0-47f8-b09a-9241a50ee420" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncome_4effdd89-af57-48f9-a659-f8a74a547d3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncomeAndExpensesAbstract_98941637-afa8-4fa1-a913-fc35e580c976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncome_4effdd89-af57-48f9-a659-f8a74a547d3c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax_faff3af8-7036-4739-b524-54b08411faaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncomeAndExpensesAbstract_98941637-afa8-4fa1-a913-fc35e580c976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax_faff3af8-7036-4739-b524-54b08411faaf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriod_216984b8-6a20-47f7-ac65-8d632c8ea53b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_8aa826fd-f28e-4591-929c-ef0e040ad20b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriod_216984b8-6a20-47f7-ac65-8d632c8ea53b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodNetOfTax_fa79680f-7251-4e3b-838b-1ed6e9826c60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_8aa826fd-f28e-4591-929c-ef0e040ad20b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodNetOfTax_fa79680f-7251-4e3b-838b-1ed6e9826c60" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_74f27384-020f-4926-9176-e4597bc30a09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_8aa826fd-f28e-4591-929c-ef0e040ad20b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_74f27384-020f-4926-9176-e4597bc30a09" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_deb5dd4a-45d5-424d-bc69-798c7c186494" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_74f27384-020f-4926-9176-e4597bc30a09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_deb5dd4a-45d5-424d-bc69-798c7c186494" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_deb5dd4a-45d5-424d-bc69-798c7c186494_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_deb5dd4a-45d5-424d-bc69-798c7c186494" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_deb5dd4a-45d5-424d-bc69-798c7c186494_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_1cd0de6b-71f2-471b-a518-5f8758905299" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_deb5dd4a-45d5-424d-bc69-798c7c186494" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_1cd0de6b-71f2-471b-a518-5f8758905299" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember_d1555d0e-1187-4121-9fc9-a58880e4e251" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_1cd0de6b-71f2-471b-a518-5f8758905299" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember_d1555d0e-1187-4121-9fc9-a58880e4e251" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_7f5e8b73-663f-4841-bdea-6d5c17d696e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_1cd0de6b-71f2-471b-a518-5f8758905299" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_7f5e8b73-663f-4841-bdea-6d5c17d696e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_52bc6965-8e7d-4915-a21d-352fb4f39a13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_74f27384-020f-4926-9176-e4597bc30a09" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_52bc6965-8e7d-4915-a21d-352fb4f39a13" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_52bc6965-8e7d-4915-a21d-352fb4f39a13_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_52bc6965-8e7d-4915-a21d-352fb4f39a13" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_52bc6965-8e7d-4915-a21d-352fb4f39a13_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ddbfb80e-b0ab-40a8-939d-17513f3776ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_52bc6965-8e7d-4915-a21d-352fb4f39a13" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ddbfb80e-b0ab-40a8-939d-17513f3776ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_ServiceandOtherMember_099a7f19-404f-4a48-a6b1-396bb1cce661" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_ServiceandOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ddbfb80e-b0ab-40a8-939d-17513f3776ae" xlink:to="loc_shen_ServiceandOtherMember_099a7f19-404f-4a48-a6b1-396bb1cce661" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_EquipmentProductAndServiceMember_eeff6eb1-bf08-48ef-aa1b-de90e00c3ec9" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_EquipmentProductAndServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ddbfb80e-b0ab-40a8-939d-17513f3776ae" xlink:to="loc_shen_EquipmentProductAndServiceMember_eeff6eb1-bf08-48ef-aa1b-de90e00c3ec9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ServiceMember_aaa08152-06db-473b-939a-580b847e2d72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ddbfb80e-b0ab-40a8-939d-17513f3776ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ServiceMember_aaa08152-06db-473b-939a-580b847e2d72" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_864bf73d-783b-4b63-8ac2-dd950f580392" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProductMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ddbfb80e-b0ab-40a8-939d-17513f3776ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_864bf73d-783b-4b63-8ac2-dd950f580392" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://shentel.com/role/ScheduleIIValuationandQualifyingAccountsandReservesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#ScheduleIIValuationandQualifyingAccountsandReservesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://shentel.com/role/ScheduleIIValuationandQualifyingAccountsandReservesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib0a9eb64cffe4484b36f7c3032b2400b_ScheduleIIValuationandQualifyingAccountsandReservesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems_b7551a37-b8e7-4039-a990-be337551b8a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_b072106b-f470-4ed9-adbf-e20f8201b583" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems_b7551a37-b8e7-4039-a990-be337551b8a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_b072106b-f470-4ed9-adbf-e20f8201b583" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance_96a653f4-eeb8-47ca-997f-fa5b827be67a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_b072106b-f470-4ed9-adbf-e20f8201b583" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance_96a653f4-eeb8-47ca-997f-fa5b827be67a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries_9a2554af-2a3d-4789-8a50-c5986a3fd116" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_b072106b-f470-4ed9-adbf-e20f8201b583" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesRecoveries_9a2554af-2a3d-4789-8a50-c5986a3fd116" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense_c9ac6f19-b94f-486f-bd28-5b98de299571" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_b072106b-f470-4ed9-adbf-e20f8201b583" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense_c9ac6f19-b94f-486f-bd28-5b98de299571" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions_c01646d6-39fe-4ddb-9f21-3c15f4acd547" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_b072106b-f470-4ed9-adbf-e20f8201b583" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions_c01646d6-39fe-4ddb-9f21-3c15f4acd547" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance_a67659a2-0385-4b60-95aa-08016ed90e1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable_ab585618-01a4-44d7-9722-a01f9b679d33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems_b7551a37-b8e7-4039-a990-be337551b8a1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable_ab585618-01a4-44d7-9722-a01f9b679d33" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_7735321d-6fb6-48c4-8bdf-25e64acd6983" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable_ab585618-01a4-44d7-9722-a01f9b679d33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_7735321d-6fb6-48c4-8bdf-25e64acd6983" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_7735321d-6fb6-48c4-8bdf-25e64acd6983_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_7735321d-6fb6-48c4-8bdf-25e64acd6983" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_7735321d-6fb6-48c4-8bdf-25e64acd6983_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_7dbe652d-6807-4c2e-b142-52372671ebbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_7735321d-6fb6-48c4-8bdf-25e64acd6983" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_7dbe652d-6807-4c2e-b142-52372671ebbb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember_40a50caa-5c22-4bb7-8c5d-749266c68d33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_7dbe652d-6807-4c2e-b142-52372671ebbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember_40a50caa-5c22-4bb7-8c5d-749266c68d33" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-roles-2022.xsd#eedm"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_shen_ServiceRevenueAndOtherMember_b1e7490c-7036-4524-8919-efaa782cbe0c" xlink:href="shen-20221231.xsd#shen_ServiceRevenueAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="loc_shen_ServiceRevenueAndOtherMember_b1e7490c-7036-4524-8919-efaa782cbe0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
