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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2022 Workiva-->
<!--r:0abbee12-d952-4759-92a6-873992ed0881,g:0a1f5677-88f9-4023-878a-32968d358940-->
<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://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="id1a36f0dd7fb44d2bae3952fbd9534cf_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" 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_RevenuesAbstract_851ec12d-5a38-466f-ab1c-3fb27f50aead" 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_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_851ec12d-5a38-466f-ab1c-3fb27f50aead" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_5da6115c-5aa2-463f-9935-d2186224b034" 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_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_851ec12d-5a38-466f-ab1c-3fb27f50aead" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_5da6115c-5aa2-463f-9935-d2186224b034" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenueAbstract_b6154688-cf28-464d-8dd9-3ee70ed49750" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfRevenueAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenueAbstract_b6154688-cf28-464d-8dd9-3ee70ed49750" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_75dcd696-42ef-4afe-8b92-fa303ae5e2ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenueAbstract_b6154688-cf28-464d-8dd9-3ee70ed49750" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_75dcd696-42ef-4afe-8b92-fa303ae5e2ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_424d9ba1-3313-4cfc-93c4-093435a8f4ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GrossProfit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_424d9ba1-3313-4cfc-93c4-093435a8f4ff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_fe124341-ac38-459b-8672-6604530da548" 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_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_fe124341-ac38-459b-8672-6604530da548" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_e1c34a64-20b7-43e8-a099-6b7d68ce6234" 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_fe124341-ac38-459b-8672-6604530da548" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_e1c34a64-20b7-43e8-a099-6b7d68ce6234" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense_2b9538d7-161a-48a2-93e6-08727cc7bcc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_fe124341-ac38-459b-8672-6604530da548" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense_2b9538d7-161a-48a2-93e6-08727cc7bcc4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_38c2b515-9728-4f82-9f8b-96d45ce285ff" 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_OperatingExpensesAbstract_fe124341-ac38-459b-8672-6604530da548" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_38c2b515-9728-4f82-9f8b-96d45ce285ff" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_b7aab048-2942-4c8d-abc3-e3f9322dab17" 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_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_b7aab048-2942-4c8d-abc3-e3f9322dab17" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_5790d334-99e3-4d46-8037-47d70cc3fe48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_5790d334-99e3-4d46-8037-47d70cc3fe48" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_bf87d7f5-c995-481d-abda-4385395a09f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_bf87d7f5-c995-481d-abda-4385395a09f6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_dc1cfd12-043a-4f4a-9abe-7f0c98e229ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_dc1cfd12-043a-4f4a-9abe-7f0c98e229ac" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_fbfb7554-2854-4bb6-bfbf-a3b30f1b177e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_fbfb7554-2854-4bb6-bfbf-a3b30f1b177e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_95aa9a89-4fe9-49db-8dcb-0ab150a07f0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_95aa9a89-4fe9-49db-8dcb-0ab150a07f0b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_12ad713c-1da4-47da-88cc-15828470f291" 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_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_12ad713c-1da4-47da-88cc-15828470f291" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_f9cb1445-2b2e-4aa8-8fa7-a33e3da9ed2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_f9cb1445-2b2e-4aa8-8fa7-a33e3da9ed2b" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_fc01ef68-5522-4d96-911f-66eab39bc0e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_f9cb1445-2b2e-4aa8-8fa7-a33e3da9ed2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_fc01ef68-5522-4d96-911f-66eab39bc0e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_b63e3e16-821e-4643-946f-6d03a3f10313" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_f9cb1445-2b2e-4aa8-8fa7-a33e3da9ed2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_b63e3e16-821e-4643-946f-6d03a3f10313" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_c0c61ac7-bbe4-42a5-b66a-1b1e2c522a62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_c0c61ac7-bbe4-42a5-b66a-1b1e2c522a62" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_9dbf9598-89e2-40c9-92f4-6c6a41d77361" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_c0c61ac7-bbe4-42a5-b66a-1b1e2c522a62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_9dbf9598-89e2-40c9-92f4-6c6a41d77361" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_cd362a14-9eb0-431d-9fec-990487bec6bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_c0c61ac7-bbe4-42a5-b66a-1b1e2c522a62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_cd362a14-9eb0-431d-9fec-990487bec6bb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_a5ac9fd5-ad33-4bce-b099-b54cbc043a9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_a5ac9fd5-ad33-4bce-b099-b54cbc043a9d" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_a935c597-3e81-40e4-a1ee-ae02253b3634" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_a5ac9fd5-ad33-4bce-b099-b54cbc043a9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_a935c597-3e81-40e4-a1ee-ae02253b3634" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_88974e70-c7e8-42e9-a941-dc5178f6eba0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_a5ac9fd5-ad33-4bce-b099-b54cbc043a9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_88974e70-c7e8-42e9-a941-dc5178f6eba0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_35544a17-c042-4dcd-8263-605662d6813d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_a5ac9fd5-ad33-4bce-b099-b54cbc043a9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_35544a17-c042-4dcd-8263-605662d6813d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax_9aca84a6-d299-43b6-9f0b-8bd92a83f810" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_a5ac9fd5-ad33-4bce-b099-b54cbc043a9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax_9aca84a6-d299-43b6-9f0b-8bd92a83f810" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_7820a22e-6186-4335-b634-d1427e7dbee7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_a5ac9fd5-ad33-4bce-b099-b54cbc043a9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_7820a22e-6186-4335-b634-d1427e7dbee7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_3c00583a-cc0e-4fb7-a433-fb0e7a112df1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_3c00583a-cc0e-4fb7-a433-fb0e7a112df1" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_882dca4c-4835-449b-ab5c-8f81e131a2cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_882dca4c-4835-449b-ab5c-8f81e131a2cb" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_549feadc-8dcc-4e5e-8a7c-656039adbfd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_549feadc-8dcc-4e5e-8a7c-656039adbfd7" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_78795c48-ac27-45e7-b548-5488123dc175" 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_e6607c56-4380-4428-9dfd-b0579e60583f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_78795c48-ac27-45e7-b548-5488123dc175" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_83fa6fa0-b77b-4196-9021-2bb23af1ab6b" 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_StatementTable_78795c48-ac27-45e7-b548-5488123dc175" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_83fa6fa0-b77b-4196-9021-2bb23af1ab6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_83fa6fa0-b77b-4196-9021-2bb23af1ab6b_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_83fa6fa0-b77b-4196-9021-2bb23af1ab6b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_83fa6fa0-b77b-4196-9021-2bb23af1ab6b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_663ff38f-ed16-4e95-9488-c7d8c76ac97f" 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_83fa6fa0-b77b-4196-9021-2bb23af1ab6b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_663ff38f-ed16-4e95-9488-c7d8c76ac97f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_7fce2ca7-eef2-4660-8547-c8bdf91b4e3a" 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_663ff38f-ed16-4e95-9488-c7d8c76ac97f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_7fce2ca7-eef2-4660-8547-c8bdf91b4e3a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ServiceMember_a4e12787-4b1c-43b8-a7a5-975f736370f2" 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_663ff38f-ed16-4e95-9488-c7d8c76ac97f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ServiceMember_a4e12787-4b1c-43b8-a7a5-975f736370f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_1c26ccdf-9a74-410c-aa8a-c78986289457" 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_StatementTable_78795c48-ac27-45e7-b548-5488123dc175" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_1c26ccdf-9a74-410c-aa8a-c78986289457" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_1c26ccdf-9a74-410c-aa8a-c78986289457_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_1c26ccdf-9a74-410c-aa8a-c78986289457" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_1c26ccdf-9a74-410c-aa8a-c78986289457_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_06ee47b5-054d-4a77-aa6a-0ce04ced602d" 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_1c26ccdf-9a74-410c-aa8a-c78986289457" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_06ee47b5-054d-4a77-aa6a-0ce04ced602d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_fec0ee83-3bb3-4e48-953d-fed7590ced76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_06ee47b5-054d-4a77-aa6a-0ce04ced602d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_fec0ee83-3bb3-4e48-953d-fed7590ced76" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSSummaryofCashandAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSSummaryofCashandAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSSummaryofCashandAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iec36830bcd684a3baf1936c0a5c0a347_FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSSummaryofCashandAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_971ba5d1-3292-45f8-a9f7-7d381acbea09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_971ba5d1-3292-45f8-a9f7-7d381acbea09" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_d0e8e34c-9f54-48c8-bf37-145b510a394e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_d0e8e34c-9f54-48c8-bf37-145b510a394e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_7eb1efaf-2cc5-4460-8d3f-4d92abdeca30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_7eb1efaf-2cc5-4460-8d3f-4d92abdeca30" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_9503b36e-1e27-4ede-8432-2374b115f5d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_9503b36e-1e27-4ede-8432-2374b115f5d4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_f3a05b2d-629d-495d-9fa5-ff567f7c369b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_f3a05b2d-629d-495d-9fa5-ff567f7c369b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_e9fd0a52-ebf9-4abd-9b56-60b046182103" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_e9fd0a52-ebf9-4abd-9b56-60b046182103" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_39e7e7e8-dc0a-44d1-ab13-82068c5ecd41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_39e7e7e8-dc0a-44d1-ab13-82068c5ecd41" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesCurrent_207b3084-710e-4db3-b0c1-2d4b18c0ad66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesCurrent_207b3084-710e-4db3-b0c1-2d4b18c0ad66" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesNoncurrent_caf91d0d-b5d2-4b87-a264-411f4677824e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesNoncurrent_caf91d0d-b5d2-4b87-a264-411f4677824e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_CashandCashEquivalentsandDebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleAmortizedCost_2ec37439-9d9c-4fc7-b008-1ce7f057bc1b" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_CashandCashEquivalentsandDebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleAmortizedCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_isrg_CashandCashEquivalentsandDebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleAmortizedCost_2ec37439-9d9c-4fc7-b008-1ce7f057bc1b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_CashandCashEquivalentsandDebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleFairValue_e3018ca5-c743-4580-93a4-87dc747ce398" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_CashandCashEquivalentsandDebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_isrg_CashandCashEquivalentsandDebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleFairValue_e3018ca5-c743-4580-93a4-87dc747ce398" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_35b565af-d141-4e38-817c-5b059e0f1e36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_60f6e194-1f65-4961-acf1-7abe3db7d505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_35b565af-d141-4e38-817c-5b059e0f1e36" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_398c87c2-4b25-494d-b00e-988247390ec2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_35b565af-d141-4e38-817c-5b059e0f1e36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_398c87c2-4b25-494d-b00e-988247390ec2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_398c87c2-4b25-494d-b00e-988247390ec2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_398c87c2-4b25-494d-b00e-988247390ec2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_398c87c2-4b25-494d-b00e-988247390ec2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_416afaa8-c0eb-4752-a0e6-c93874dba22b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_398c87c2-4b25-494d-b00e-988247390ec2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_416afaa8-c0eb-4752-a0e6-c93874dba22b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_fb24d515-062b-47e0-89bc-3d1a0e6d6e8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_416afaa8-c0eb-4752-a0e6-c93874dba22b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_fb24d515-062b-47e0-89bc-3d1a0e6d6e8a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_dbfa5ecc-1039-4478-a59f-5c0b3142ca6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_416afaa8-c0eb-4752-a0e6-c93874dba22b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_dbfa5ecc-1039-4478-a59f-5c0b3142ca6c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_c87e33a5-7ccc-4c41-8635-9d2fe55ceb47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_35b565af-d141-4e38-817c-5b059e0f1e36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_c87e33a5-7ccc-4c41-8635-9d2fe55ceb47" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_c87e33a5-7ccc-4c41-8635-9d2fe55ceb47_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_c87e33a5-7ccc-4c41-8635-9d2fe55ceb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_c87e33a5-7ccc-4c41-8635-9d2fe55ceb47_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4cd40af7-3b79-46dd-91d2-04d7c27c31ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_c87e33a5-7ccc-4c41-8635-9d2fe55ceb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4cd40af7-3b79-46dd-91d2-04d7c27c31ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashMember_8c49189d-004a-4401-ac77-9a4b0923185b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CashMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4cd40af7-3b79-46dd-91d2-04d7c27c31ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashMember_8c49189d-004a-4401-ac77-9a4b0923185b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_4af90a2a-7a2e-4cad-974a-ce371c064235" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4cd40af7-3b79-46dd-91d2-04d7c27c31ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_4af90a2a-7a2e-4cad-974a-ce371c064235" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_1c20a1e5-b1e4-4f8e-ac2e-15fd9ceb4e0a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4cd40af7-3b79-46dd-91d2-04d7c27c31ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_1c20a1e5-b1e4-4f8e-ac2e-15fd9ceb4e0a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_96e6113d-5847-4342-a440-850f7a8e0843" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4cd40af7-3b79-46dd-91d2-04d7c27c31ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_96e6113d-5847-4342-a440-850f7a8e0843" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_44448f10-1749-41fe-b42d-e52d5422cec6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4cd40af7-3b79-46dd-91d2-04d7c27c31ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_44448f10-1749-41fe-b42d-e52d5422cec6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_1533dd62-ab95-4e4d-bd32-971af0e949e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4cd40af7-3b79-46dd-91d2-04d7c27c31ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember_1533dd62-ab95-4e4d-bd32-971af0e949e6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalNotesMember_eb7faf8c-de3f-48e6-b58b-be2e16673ad5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MunicipalNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4cd40af7-3b79-46dd-91d2-04d7c27c31ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalNotesMember_eb7faf8c-de3f-48e6-b58b-be2e16673ad5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesinaContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesinaContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesinaContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iefcad2098c344484b3ca39aab368a955_FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSAvailableforSaleDebtSecuritiesinaContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e10e85ef-e67b-4773-af6e-9eac80d0d033" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months_a0f32432-25b5-49ea-aa3e-fd0bb9a4d269" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e10e85ef-e67b-4773-af6e-9eac80d0d033" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months_a0f32432-25b5-49ea-aa3e-fd0bb9a4d269" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss_91143e80-4c40-415a-ae18-1125322eab4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e10e85ef-e67b-4773-af6e-9eac80d0d033" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss_91143e80-4c40-415a-ae18-1125322eab4b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger_abb2bc2a-3d32-4017-979a-4c7589060287" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e10e85ef-e67b-4773-af6e-9eac80d0d033" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger_abb2bc2a-3d32-4017-979a-4c7589060287" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss_0012596b-4f82-4d2e-8d1c-eed98d72d1d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e10e85ef-e67b-4773-af6e-9eac80d0d033" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss_0012596b-4f82-4d2e-8d1c-eed98d72d1d3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition_22d74df9-620f-4f49-907b-4078bdd4054a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e10e85ef-e67b-4773-af6e-9eac80d0d033" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition_22d74df9-620f-4f49-907b-4078bdd4054a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss_8a03a04e-fddb-4f3b-9048-c0d2e5ae3910" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e10e85ef-e67b-4773-af6e-9eac80d0d033" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss_8a03a04e-fddb-4f3b-9048-c0d2e5ae3910" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_5c35b4ca-0baa-444f-9a23-c495db0b5cda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_e10e85ef-e67b-4773-af6e-9eac80d0d033" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_5c35b4ca-0baa-444f-9a23-c495db0b5cda" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_8a59b8ab-56e7-434c-bde7-6dc3c869f59d" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_5c35b4ca-0baa-444f-9a23-c495db0b5cda" xlink:to="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_8a59b8ab-56e7-434c-bde7-6dc3c869f59d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain_8a59b8ab-56e7-434c-bde7-6dc3c869f59d_default" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_8a59b8ab-56e7-434c-bde7-6dc3c869f59d" xlink:to="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain_8a59b8ab-56e7-434c-bde7-6dc3c869f59d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain_da88d5eb-4235-41d7-bb8f-b0fe1e617369" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis_8a59b8ab-56e7-434c-bde7-6dc3c869f59d" xlink:to="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain_da88d5eb-4235-41d7-bb8f-b0fe1e617369" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_731c9adf-5e89-4934-856c-527d917f61fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain_da88d5eb-4235-41d7-bb8f-b0fe1e617369" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_731c9adf-5e89-4934-856c-527d917f61fb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_3f639d51-1ae6-4d8e-9f1c-bc5a0baa688c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain_da88d5eb-4235-41d7-bb8f-b0fe1e617369" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_3f639d51-1ae6-4d8e-9f1c-bc5a0baa688c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNoteSecuritiesMember_f6fb7758-51e4-4af5-a5fa-18ba10b1ef2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNoteSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain_da88d5eb-4235-41d7-bb8f-b0fe1e617369" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNoteSecuritiesMember_f6fb7758-51e4-4af5-a5fa-18ba10b1ef2f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_bd75bdcf-31e8-4a9a-94e8-a27e70ed5e02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain_da88d5eb-4235-41d7-bb8f-b0fe1e617369" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_bd75bdcf-31e8-4a9a-94e8-a27e70ed5e02" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalNotesMember_683f17c5-7dc0-4bcd-966e-724f24f3615a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MunicipalNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain_da88d5eb-4235-41d7-bb8f-b0fe1e617369" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalNotesMember_683f17c5-7dc0-4bcd-966e-724f24f3615a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSSummaryofEquityInvestmentActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSSummaryofEquityInvestmentActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSSummaryofEquityInvestmentActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i13280b489fbf46b8bd1c673f8954647a_FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSSummaryofEquityInvestmentActivityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_713f8c33-5fe4-4d9f-b90a-0afc62144001" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_15c9605d-c136-4339-a5fb-39ba399f491a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_713f8c33-5fe4-4d9f-b90a-0afc62144001" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_15c9605d-c136-4339-a5fb-39ba399f491a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_FairValueLevel1Abstract_40c911e5-35b7-4423-9588-d63ca182780b" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_FairValueLevel1Abstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_15c9605d-c136-4339-a5fb-39ba399f491a" xlink:to="loc_isrg_FairValueLevel1Abstract_40c911e5-35b7-4423-9588-d63ca182780b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi_e1a227a0-f925-4ac3-9f3e-d4fa9f0e42cb" 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_isrg_FairValueLevel1Abstract_40c911e5-35b7-4423-9588-d63ca182780b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi_e1a227a0-f925-4ac3-9f3e-d4fa9f0e42cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss_2a6f9e09-f07e-4d2f-aff9-afc75a75806a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_FairValueLevel1Abstract_40c911e5-35b7-4423-9588-d63ca182780b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss_2a6f9e09-f07e-4d2f-aff9-afc75a75806a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_EquitySecuritiesFVNISalesPurchasesAndOtherAdjustments_ca6482d1-b796-411a-af11-cf1f3fa95214" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_EquitySecuritiesFVNISalesPurchasesAndOtherAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_FairValueLevel1Abstract_40c911e5-35b7-4423-9588-d63ca182780b" xlink:to="loc_isrg_EquitySecuritiesFVNISalesPurchasesAndOtherAdjustments_ca6482d1-b796-411a-af11-cf1f3fa95214" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi_f9e9e1cf-a4cd-4e9e-acc4-ee323a0dffba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_FairValueLevel2Abstract_bfa7b67f-09b0-4651-b210-67cc03546cad" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_FairValueLevel2Abstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_15c9605d-c136-4339-a5fb-39ba399f491a" xlink:to="loc_isrg_FairValueLevel2Abstract_bfa7b67f-09b0-4651-b210-67cc03546cad" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount_88e7fef9-e05a-4bb4-9477-33164f0f83af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_FairValueLevel2Abstract_bfa7b67f-09b0-4651-b210-67cc03546cad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount_88e7fef9-e05a-4bb4-9477-33164f0f83af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueUnrealizedGainLoss_fd24fbab-b34b-4bf0-a6f2-546f749d6ef7" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_FairValueLevel2Abstract_bfa7b67f-09b0-4651-b210-67cc03546cad" xlink:to="loc_isrg_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueUnrealizedGainLoss_fd24fbab-b34b-4bf0-a6f2-546f749d6ef7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueSalesPurchasesAndOtherAdjustments_5176a391-fd02-4d4d-87f1-821bc5977fda" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueSalesPurchasesAndOtherAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_FairValueLevel2Abstract_bfa7b67f-09b0-4651-b210-67cc03546cad" xlink:to="loc_isrg_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueSalesPurchasesAndOtherAdjustments_5176a391-fd02-4d4d-87f1-821bc5977fda" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount_c2580061-db67-441a-8c8a-7dd2a421949c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_e5553d81-6294-4fc8-b9b7-990e820c8da4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_713f8c33-5fe4-4d9f-b90a-0afc62144001" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_e5553d81-6294-4fc8-b9b7-990e820c8da4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_f575ab5b-31ff-442d-81ef-a86f6ff56ae9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_e5553d81-6294-4fc8-b9b7-990e820c8da4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_f575ab5b-31ff-442d-81ef-a86f6ff56ae9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_f575ab5b-31ff-442d-81ef-a86f6ff56ae9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_f575ab5b-31ff-442d-81ef-a86f6ff56ae9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_f575ab5b-31ff-442d-81ef-a86f6ff56ae9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_43322e30-fedc-4189-815b-f238dfe4a1ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_f575ab5b-31ff-442d-81ef-a86f6ff56ae9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_43322e30-fedc-4189-815b-f238dfe4a1ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_15899e3e-93a0-4dc6-b252-9290b9169641" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_43322e30-fedc-4189-815b-f238dfe4a1ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_15899e3e-93a0-4dc6-b252-9290b9169641" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_IntangibleAndOtherAssetsNetMember_6489de75-8688-4da9-a692-799a07954214" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_IntangibleAndOtherAssetsNetMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_43322e30-fedc-4189-815b-f238dfe4a1ef" xlink:to="loc_isrg_IntangibleAndOtherAssetsNetMember_6489de75-8688-4da9-a692-799a07954214" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e65cd396-99d7-4bfb-af53-dd86d4366a4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_e5553d81-6294-4fc8-b9b7-990e820c8da4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e65cd396-99d7-4bfb-af53-dd86d4366a4b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_e65cd396-99d7-4bfb-af53-dd86d4366a4b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e65cd396-99d7-4bfb-af53-dd86d4366a4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_e65cd396-99d7-4bfb-af53-dd86d4366a4b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d1cadee7-fb56-4caa-b78b-f37ef7d57ec2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e65cd396-99d7-4bfb-af53-dd86d4366a4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d1cadee7-fb56-4caa-b78b-f37ef7d57ec2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_d16b79d1-8cbb-44cd-9c7b-6285f209de18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d1cadee7-fb56-4caa-b78b-f37ef7d57ec2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_d16b79d1-8cbb-44cd-9c7b-6285f209de18" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_d9812a5d-572c-4f95-8ef5-3fba360b7cca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d1cadee7-fb56-4caa-b78b-f37ef7d57ec2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_d9812a5d-572c-4f95-8ef5-3fba360b7cca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_eee32875-a8ce-47c2-84e4-bd739815f490" 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_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_e5553d81-6294-4fc8-b9b7-990e820c8da4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_eee32875-a8ce-47c2-84e4-bd739815f490" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_eee32875-a8ce-47c2-84e4-bd739815f490_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_eee32875-a8ce-47c2-84e4-bd739815f490" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_eee32875-a8ce-47c2-84e4-bd739815f490_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_e2480444-5545-4a7a-aff2-0e7fde653e39" 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_eee32875-a8ce-47c2-84e4-bd739815f490" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_e2480444-5545-4a7a-aff2-0e7fde653e39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_BroncusHoldingCorporationMember_ffb90b22-2ac9-44ae-be6c-ed52fd4af9f0" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_BroncusHoldingCorporationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_e2480444-5545-4a7a-aff2-0e7fde653e39" xlink:to="loc_isrg_BroncusHoldingCorporationMember_ffb90b22-2ac9-44ae-be6c-ed52fd4af9f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id186c873916647c798a22a36c672dbaa_FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_114c2b74-996d-4750-a811-87bb59f17084" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss_d096ac63-6ef7-45ac-8cb2-a0d004c30b5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_114c2b74-996d-4750-a811-87bb59f17084" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss_d096ac63-6ef7-45ac-8cb2-a0d004c30b5c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet_d8e9e99f-98ae-44da-a36d-03d50d5e5498" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_114c2b74-996d-4750-a811-87bb59f17084" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet_d8e9e99f-98ae-44da-a36d-03d50d5e5498" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_c3843ca9-3358-4630-947c-7507d48a3b03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_114c2b74-996d-4750-a811-87bb59f17084" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_c3843ca9-3358-4630-947c-7507d48a3b03" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_91ee92a2-8595-4fab-937c-9231a92d359d" 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_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_c3843ca9-3358-4630-947c-7507d48a3b03" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_91ee92a2-8595-4fab-937c-9231a92d359d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_91ee92a2-8595-4fab-937c-9231a92d359d_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_91ee92a2-8595-4fab-937c-9231a92d359d" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_91ee92a2-8595-4fab-937c-9231a92d359d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_a960f1a2-a57b-4187-98a7-77eeef802b4b" 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_91ee92a2-8595-4fab-937c-9231a92d359d" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_a960f1a2-a57b-4187-98a7-77eeef802b4b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_BroncusHoldingCorporationMember_f3f0522a-f004-4a42-91be-1848b8828fc9" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_BroncusHoldingCorporationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_a960f1a2-a57b-4187-98a7-77eeef802b4b" xlink:to="loc_isrg_BroncusHoldingCorporationMember_f3f0522a-f004-4a42-91be-1848b8828fc9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_78d92441-7308-403d-b430-f5211a9c5d0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_c3843ca9-3358-4630-947c-7507d48a3b03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_78d92441-7308-403d-b430-f5211a9c5d0f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_78d92441-7308-403d-b430-f5211a9c5d0f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_78d92441-7308-403d-b430-f5211a9c5d0f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_78d92441-7308-403d-b430-f5211a9c5d0f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_ae958feb-5a1c-4318-80ce-703c29f1a2d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_78d92441-7308-403d-b430-f5211a9c5d0f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_ae958feb-5a1c-4318-80ce-703c29f1a2d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_CollarContractMember_b63a4af7-9568-4271-9082-48af0a42b6e4" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_CollarContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_ae958feb-5a1c-4318-80ce-703c29f1a2d2" xlink:to="loc_isrg_CollarContractMember_b63a4af7-9568-4271-9082-48af0a42b6e4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_9acbba89-dd9a-44f4-84a0-a107083eb684" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_c3843ca9-3358-4630-947c-7507d48a3b03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_9acbba89-dd9a-44f4-84a0-a107083eb684" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_9acbba89-dd9a-44f4-84a0-a107083eb684_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_9acbba89-dd9a-44f4-84a0-a107083eb684" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_9acbba89-dd9a-44f4-84a0-a107083eb684_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_8a863cdb-e40f-4bd9-bd7f-9f17a23bdf1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_9acbba89-dd9a-44f4-84a0-a107083eb684" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_8a863cdb-e40f-4bd9-bd7f-9f17a23bdf1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_9b4b962e-43be-476c-bc2e-782b4538e44e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_8a863cdb-e40f-4bd9-bd7f-9f17a23bdf1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_9b4b962e-43be-476c-bc2e-782b4538e44e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_17d75aab-391e-4262-81ee-b89157d5c8ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_c3843ca9-3358-4630-947c-7507d48a3b03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_17d75aab-391e-4262-81ee-b89157d5c8ee" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_17d75aab-391e-4262-81ee-b89157d5c8ee_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_17d75aab-391e-4262-81ee-b89157d5c8ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_17d75aab-391e-4262-81ee-b89157d5c8ee_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_dd669f4a-7c2f-4e15-912f-6819f814e9e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_17d75aab-391e-4262-81ee-b89157d5c8ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_dd669f4a-7c2f-4e15-912f-6819f814e9e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_9b15fc8d-4b12-4adf-b9d6-d461233a3f0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_dd669f4a-7c2f-4e15-912f-6819f814e9e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_9b15fc8d-4b12-4adf-b9d6-d461233a3f0c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSDerivativeInstrumentsUsedtoHedgeagainstBalanceSheetForeignCurrencyExposuresDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSDerivativeInstrumentsUsedtoHedgeagainstBalanceSheetForeignCurrencyExposuresDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSDerivativeInstrumentsUsedtoHedgeagainstBalanceSheetForeignCurrencyExposuresDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ifc5e26d582444433a2e76983cfee48d5_FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSDerivativeInstrumentsUsedtoHedgeagainstBalanceSheetForeignCurrencyExposuresDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_78a3e073-0bcb-45e1-baf3-ebb041876746" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet_59d61f7a-e27a-483f-a126-69f6ccb5a6f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_78a3e073-0bcb-45e1-baf3-ebb041876746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet_59d61f7a-e27a-483f-a126-69f6ccb5a6f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_c074cfcb-73a3-46b9-a5dd-a4564840723b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_78a3e073-0bcb-45e1-baf3-ebb041876746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_c074cfcb-73a3-46b9-a5dd-a4564840723b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_bef94909-814a-4dc7-80ca-ebeca33a50ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_78a3e073-0bcb-45e1-baf3-ebb041876746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_bef94909-814a-4dc7-80ca-ebeca33a50ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_c17fe851-6f7f-4176-95f7-6bf53830e412" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_bef94909-814a-4dc7-80ca-ebeca33a50ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_c17fe851-6f7f-4176-95f7-6bf53830e412" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_c17fe851-6f7f-4176-95f7-6bf53830e412_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_c17fe851-6f7f-4176-95f7-6bf53830e412" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_c17fe851-6f7f-4176-95f7-6bf53830e412_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_9356119f-8225-4e1c-aea0-255cb09ece03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_c17fe851-6f7f-4176-95f7-6bf53830e412" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_9356119f-8225-4e1c-aea0-255cb09ece03" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_76ba9553-d3b7-47f2-8a74-4a4e1e4254de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_9356119f-8225-4e1c-aea0-255cb09ece03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_76ba9553-d3b7-47f2-8a74-4a4e1e4254de" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_44e52b76-dad6-4a92-871a-e302a53f51ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_bef94909-814a-4dc7-80ca-ebeca33a50ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_44e52b76-dad6-4a92-871a-e302a53f51ad" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_44e52b76-dad6-4a92-871a-e302a53f51ad_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_44e52b76-dad6-4a92-871a-e302a53f51ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_44e52b76-dad6-4a92-871a-e302a53f51ad_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_f245f5a1-5c78-4219-8e88-09744135eb75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_44e52b76-dad6-4a92-871a-e302a53f51ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_f245f5a1-5c78-4219-8e88-09744135eb75" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_36ad9e01-50bd-463b-8ef8-a9a23fb9f84e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_f245f5a1-5c78-4219-8e88-09744135eb75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_36ad9e01-50bd-463b-8ef8-a9a23fb9f84e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSGrossNotionalAmountsforOutstandingDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSGrossNotionalAmountsforOutstandingDerivativesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSGrossNotionalAmountsforOutstandingDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i082d29ae8cf64bb1a6b38a3da3231636_FINANCIALINSTRUMENTSGrossNotionalAmountsforOutstandingDerivativesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_fee7b1d0-7123-431f-bd50-e65a5ea26467" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_0906ca51-a819-46ef-9129-cddfc771213b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_fee7b1d0-7123-431f-bd50-e65a5ea26467" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_0906ca51-a819-46ef-9129-cddfc771213b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_af64665b-631c-49f4-990c-cccda544421e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_fee7b1d0-7123-431f-bd50-e65a5ea26467" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_af64665b-631c-49f4-990c-cccda544421e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_8104c347-071a-48e4-8563-1fbea669aa4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_af64665b-631c-49f4-990c-cccda544421e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_8104c347-071a-48e4-8563-1fbea669aa4d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_8104c347-071a-48e4-8563-1fbea669aa4d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_8104c347-071a-48e4-8563-1fbea669aa4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_8104c347-071a-48e4-8563-1fbea669aa4d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_b672dda9-6696-485a-83fc-a77094f28e91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_8104c347-071a-48e4-8563-1fbea669aa4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_b672dda9-6696-485a-83fc-a77094f28e91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_b61193de-d25d-48f3-9263-8f6d92e99db2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_b672dda9-6696-485a-83fc-a77094f28e91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_b61193de-d25d-48f3-9263-8f6d92e99db2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_a1d8ae6b-8164-47d3-b13d-f68a970cd85c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_af64665b-631c-49f4-990c-cccda544421e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_a1d8ae6b-8164-47d3-b13d-f68a970cd85c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_a1d8ae6b-8164-47d3-b13d-f68a970cd85c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_a1d8ae6b-8164-47d3-b13d-f68a970cd85c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_a1d8ae6b-8164-47d3-b13d-f68a970cd85c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_ea5dc535-f495-4c25-bcbc-f7f24fba036d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_a1d8ae6b-8164-47d3-b13d-f68a970cd85c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_ea5dc535-f495-4c25-bcbc-f7f24fba036d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_fa7a8c5e-a9db-446c-835a-8d730b278df3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_ea5dc535-f495-4c25-bcbc-f7f24fba036d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_fa7a8c5e-a9db-446c-835a-8d730b278df3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_7c0f9ba9-f18a-43b7-89db-c7d3a815dbfa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_ea5dc535-f495-4c25-bcbc-f7f24fba036d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_7c0f9ba9-f18a-43b7-89db-c7d3a815dbfa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_17172637-b209-4dc0-9378-a21d541f3b41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_af64665b-631c-49f4-990c-cccda544421e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_17172637-b209-4dc0-9378-a21d541f3b41" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_17172637-b209-4dc0-9378-a21d541f3b41_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_17172637-b209-4dc0-9378-a21d541f3b41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_17172637-b209-4dc0-9378-a21d541f3b41_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_53cc4adc-fe68-47dd-9b01-b4dded65797a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_17172637-b209-4dc0-9378-a21d541f3b41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_53cc4adc-fe68-47dd-9b01-b4dded65797a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_d3060955-0081-4503-b5f0-3e9b2314d964" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_53cc4adc-fe68-47dd-9b01-b4dded65797a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_d3060955-0081-4503-b5f0-3e9b2314d964" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember_9c231014-fc52-4a9c-880a-62ff399f834e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_53cc4adc-fe68-47dd-9b01-b4dded65797a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember_9c231014-fc52-4a9c-880a-62ff399f834e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSRevenueDisaggregatedbyTypesandGeographyDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSRevenueDisaggregatedbyTypesandGeographyDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSRevenueDisaggregatedbyTypesandGeographyDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1cbe13d1b25f4eba871bae9c2bfea4cb_REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSRevenueDisaggregatedbyTypesandGeographyDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_32b3baa9-8b5e-4e59-b099-c461f10e267c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_0ee615a4-e3e1-47a6-98a0-a20f7170c8d3" 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_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_32b3baa9-8b5e-4e59-b099-c461f10e267c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_0ee615a4-e3e1-47a6-98a0-a20f7170c8d3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_79f40ecf-1283-4446-98f4-92672fa1dde1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_32b3baa9-8b5e-4e59-b099-c461f10e267c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_79f40ecf-1283-4446-98f4-92672fa1dde1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionAxis_fcd8140d-c84d-4de5-9b5e-bcd864f0e430" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GeographicDistributionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_79f40ecf-1283-4446-98f4-92672fa1dde1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionAxis_fcd8140d-c84d-4de5-9b5e-bcd864f0e430" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_fcd8140d-c84d-4de5-9b5e-bcd864f0e430_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionAxis_fcd8140d-c84d-4de5-9b5e-bcd864f0e430" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_fcd8140d-c84d-4de5-9b5e-bcd864f0e430_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_8cfeef94-2e43-49c5-972f-4a6ebd9f3692" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionAxis_fcd8140d-c84d-4de5-9b5e-bcd864f0e430" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_8cfeef94-2e43-49c5-972f-4a6ebd9f3692" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomesticMember_eecd2dda-979b-4e46-8c54-8dfc3f67182f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomesticMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_8cfeef94-2e43-49c5-972f-4a6ebd9f3692" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomesticMember_eecd2dda-979b-4e46-8c54-8dfc3f67182f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionForeignMember_85b43eb7-28f7-46c4-8388-248743e0177e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GeographicDistributionForeignMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_8cfeef94-2e43-49c5-972f-4a6ebd9f3692" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionForeignMember_85b43eb7-28f7-46c4-8388-248743e0177e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_9f171dda-24ea-4ef1-a03a-af9bf1b0247f" 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_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_79f40ecf-1283-4446-98f4-92672fa1dde1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_9f171dda-24ea-4ef1-a03a-af9bf1b0247f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_9f171dda-24ea-4ef1-a03a-af9bf1b0247f_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_9f171dda-24ea-4ef1-a03a-af9bf1b0247f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_9f171dda-24ea-4ef1-a03a-af9bf1b0247f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_9150be2e-8c96-462f-a2db-16fca39a04bc" 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_9f171dda-24ea-4ef1-a03a-af9bf1b0247f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_9150be2e-8c96-462f-a2db-16fca39a04bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_InstrumentsandAccessoriesMember_7112301b-b1b1-4e44-ab17-7b5ff4196a66" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_InstrumentsandAccessoriesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_9150be2e-8c96-462f-a2db-16fca39a04bc" xlink:to="loc_isrg_InstrumentsandAccessoriesMember_7112301b-b1b1-4e44-ab17-7b5ff4196a66" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_SystemsMember_2629f59e-c4e7-4d8f-aa0a-dca60dbf2bc8" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_SystemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_9150be2e-8c96-462f-a2db-16fca39a04bc" xlink:to="loc_isrg_SystemsMember_2629f59e-c4e7-4d8f-aa0a-dca60dbf2bc8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_ServicesMember_aaeb23d0-3f43-4b07-92fe-1b796b1beb30" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_ServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_9150be2e-8c96-462f-a2db-16fca39a04bc" xlink:to="loc_isrg_ServicesMember_aaeb23d0-3f43-4b07-92fe-1b796b1beb30" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id44a43627a9f44dfb173da4b075994be_REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_ddf84fa7-b55e-42a5-85e7-b05c2f80027e" 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_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_5cfdc3ff-99bf-417e-9bbc-017ceaa01e63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_ddf84fa7-b55e-42a5-85e7-b05c2f80027e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_5cfdc3ff-99bf-417e-9bbc-017ceaa01e63" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_a6bb2494-f241-47b0-9392-ab648450b5ab" 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_ddf84fa7-b55e-42a5-85e7-b05c2f80027e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_a6bb2494-f241-47b0-9392-ab648450b5ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_ae96cf68-346d-441a-8f01-3ad4baedb837" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_ddf84fa7-b55e-42a5-85e7-b05c2f80027e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_ae96cf68-346d-441a-8f01-3ad4baedb837" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_67c989e7-009f-4373-9507-19ff232e5f9f" 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_ddf84fa7-b55e-42a5-85e7-b05c2f80027e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_67c989e7-009f-4373-9507-19ff232e5f9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_4cfc1db0-f8c7-4130-9c69-01eac76682d0" 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_67c989e7-009f-4373-9507-19ff232e5f9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_4cfc1db0-f8c7-4130-9c69-01eac76682d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSAdditionalInformationDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSAdditionalInformationDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSAdditionalInformationDetails_1" xlink:type="extended" id="icee4cb34171442b2abc4515dd38bf55b_REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSAdditionalInformationDetails_1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_ddf84fa7-b55e-42a5-85e7-b05c2f80027e" 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_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_5cfdc3ff-99bf-417e-9bbc-017ceaa01e63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_ddf84fa7-b55e-42a5-85e7-b05c2f80027e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_5cfdc3ff-99bf-417e-9bbc-017ceaa01e63" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_a6bb2494-f241-47b0-9392-ab648450b5ab" 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_ddf84fa7-b55e-42a5-85e7-b05c2f80027e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_a6bb2494-f241-47b0-9392-ab648450b5ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_ae96cf68-346d-441a-8f01-3ad4baedb837" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_ddf84fa7-b55e-42a5-85e7-b05c2f80027e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_ae96cf68-346d-441a-8f01-3ad4baedb837" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_67c989e7-009f-4373-9507-19ff232e5f9f" 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_ddf84fa7-b55e-42a5-85e7-b05c2f80027e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_67c989e7-009f-4373-9507-19ff232e5f9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSSalestypeandOperatingLeaseRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSSalestypeandOperatingLeaseRevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSSalestypeandOperatingLeaseRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7f58b7edf5af4acf93bfd27e6df591ab_REVENUEANDCONTRACTACQUISITIONCOSTSSalestypeandOperatingLeaseRevenueDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems_7b2a3e27-356e-45b8-a59c-b7122fa46ab1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseLeaseIncome_fcf28059-1ff1-42cb-a2fe-08f80b9bce54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems_7b2a3e27-356e-45b8-a59c-b7122fa46ab1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseLeaseIncome_fcf28059-1ff1-42cb-a2fe-08f80b9bce54" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_3897606f-0f09-4c73-975c-12f6208a45eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems_7b2a3e27-356e-45b8-a59c-b7122fa46ab1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_3897606f-0f09-4c73-975c-12f6208a45eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable_b6a2c886-e6c9-4718-a4ba-ec537db32c1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems_7b2a3e27-356e-45b8-a59c-b7122fa46ab1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable_b6a2c886-e6c9-4718-a4ba-ec537db32c1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis_82b51b4b-53a2-43e7-9e5f-d3c79ecf5a51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable_b6a2c886-e6c9-4718-a4ba-ec537db32c1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis_82b51b4b-53a2-43e7-9e5f-d3c79ecf5a51" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeDomain_82b51b4b-53a2-43e7-9e5f-d3c79ecf5a51_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis_82b51b4b-53a2-43e7-9e5f-d3c79ecf5a51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeDomain_82b51b4b-53a2-43e7-9e5f-d3c79ecf5a51_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeDomain_a54591fd-add5-42db-b4c5-579a8b4899b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeAxis_82b51b4b-53a2-43e7-9e5f-d3c79ecf5a51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeDomain_a54591fd-add5-42db-b4c5-579a8b4899b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_VariableLeaseRevenueUsageBasedArrangementsMember_f860dbd2-52f7-458f-b94e-672644d91550" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_VariableLeaseRevenueUsageBasedArrangementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementTypeDomain_a54591fd-add5-42db-b4c5-579a8b4899b5" xlink:to="loc_isrg_VariableLeaseRevenueUsageBasedArrangementsMember_f860dbd2-52f7-458f-b94e-672644d91550" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/LEASESLeaseReceivablesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#LEASESLeaseReceivablesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/LEASESLeaseReceivablesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i455790e36da44b1ca3f695b20ad2cbcf_LEASESLeaseReceivablesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalLeasedAssetsLineItems_c66e0d78-1728-4567-afed-c2436bf1470f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalLeasedAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_SalesTypeLeaseGrossInvestmentInLease_2de5e40f-12b5-4438-b3b4-7e6d8752cba6" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_SalesTypeLeaseGrossInvestmentInLease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalLeasedAssetsLineItems_c66e0d78-1728-4567-afed-c2436bf1470f" xlink:to="loc_isrg_SalesTypeLeaseGrossInvestmentInLease_2de5e40f-12b5-4438-b3b4-7e6d8752cba6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_SalestypeLeaseDeferredSellingProfit_2c094f93-6497-4035-9cd9-c9be72b4c0bb" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_SalestypeLeaseDeferredSellingProfit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalLeasedAssetsLineItems_c66e0d78-1728-4567-afed-c2436bf1470f" xlink:to="loc_isrg_SalestypeLeaseDeferredSellingProfit_2c094f93-6497-4035-9cd9-c9be72b4c0bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLease_73070565-251c-48f8-a88b-ed2069dfa4ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalLeasedAssetsLineItems_c66e0d78-1728-4567-afed-c2436bf1470f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLease_73070565-251c-48f8-a88b-ed2069dfa4ef" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseAllowanceForCreditLoss_709451f6-f617-4fc8-bbcd-9abd0188d68c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalLeasedAssetsLineItems_c66e0d78-1728-4567-afed-c2436bf1470f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseAllowanceForCreditLoss_709451f6-f617-4fc8-bbcd-9abd0188d68c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseLeaseReceivable_1daa43df-57a6-4ca0-9c2d-b269634bd2c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseLeaseReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalLeasedAssetsLineItems_c66e0d78-1728-4567-afed-c2436bf1470f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseLeaseReceivable_1daa43df-57a6-4ca0-9c2d-b269634bd2c4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCapitalLeasedAsssetsTable_b8986ff8-b052-4857-9947-19fbe4620268" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfCapitalLeasedAsssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalLeasedAssetsLineItems_c66e0d78-1728-4567-afed-c2436bf1470f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCapitalLeasedAsssetsTable_b8986ff8-b052-4857-9947-19fbe4620268" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_3e5e71a6-6b6e-4dd6-8446-bfe8aa49c48c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCapitalLeasedAsssetsTable_b8986ff8-b052-4857-9947-19fbe4620268" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_3e5e71a6-6b6e-4dd6-8446-bfe8aa49c48c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_3e5e71a6-6b6e-4dd6-8446-bfe8aa49c48c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_3e5e71a6-6b6e-4dd6-8446-bfe8aa49c48c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_3e5e71a6-6b6e-4dd6-8446-bfe8aa49c48c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_9ce14172-0e9f-439a-99b3-8639374a1a88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_3e5e71a6-6b6e-4dd6-8446-bfe8aa49c48c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_9ce14172-0e9f-439a-99b3-8639374a1a88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_87eb2eed-f534-4760-9e3e-3a8aadca93cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_9ce14172-0e9f-439a-99b3-8639374a1a88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_87eb2eed-f534-4760-9e3e-3a8aadca93cc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember_8122eec8-fb1b-4c7c-9b28-4ee713fefc42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_9ce14172-0e9f-439a-99b3-8639374a1a88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember_8122eec8-fb1b-4c7c-9b28-4ee713fefc42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/LEASESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#LEASESAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/LEASESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1e3261c57524485c9f80637b90213ca7_LEASESAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_ac699ec8-807d-4850-b8d7-339b59eb8c05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LessorSalesTypeLeaseTermOfContract1_6dc93ed0-6b99-4088-ba6a-7658c33dca24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LessorSalesTypeLeaseTermOfContract1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_ac699ec8-807d-4850-b8d7-339b59eb8c05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LessorSalesTypeLeaseTermOfContract1_6dc93ed0-6b99-4088-ba6a-7658c33dca24" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_720f1180-c3a8-473e-96fa-1090ac50c055" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_ac699ec8-807d-4850-b8d7-339b59eb8c05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_720f1180-c3a8-473e-96fa-1090ac50c055" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_28596104-df7a-49d5-be57-77f5dcaeeef0" 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_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_720f1180-c3a8-473e-96fa-1090ac50c055" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_28596104-df7a-49d5-be57-77f5dcaeeef0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_28596104-df7a-49d5-be57-77f5dcaeeef0_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_28596104-df7a-49d5-be57-77f5dcaeeef0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_28596104-df7a-49d5-be57-77f5dcaeeef0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_6988af63-991e-4af2-9c72-99fa587ed253" 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_28596104-df7a-49d5-be57-77f5dcaeeef0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_6988af63-991e-4af2-9c72-99fa587ed253" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_94e8fd50-bfce-4fc4-b8ec-8b452be47a18" 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_6988af63-991e-4af2-9c72-99fa587ed253" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_94e8fd50-bfce-4fc4-b8ec-8b452be47a18" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_b15744b0-dd21-46db-8643-127b91aae7d4" 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_6988af63-991e-4af2-9c72-99fa587ed253" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_b15744b0-dd21-46db-8643-127b91aae7d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/LEASESCreditQualityIndicatorDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#LEASESCreditQualityIndicatorDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/LEASESCreditQualityIndicatorDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic5931794d33f4cfaa08b7c62e9351562_LEASESCreditQualityIndicatorDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorLineItems_2aedf5ad-0c43-4ce4-923e-fd13fdf930c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedInCurrentFiscalYear_c429fac7-d19e-4ce0-8bf6-911151a6d9c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedInCurrentFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorLineItems_2aedf5ad-0c43-4ce4-923e-fd13fdf930c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedInCurrentFiscalYear_c429fac7-d19e-4ce0-8bf6-911151a6d9c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedInFiscalYearBeforeLatestFiscalYear_65906b96-d2ef-4e70-bf4c-94cc09d62f59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedInFiscalYearBeforeLatestFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorLineItems_2aedf5ad-0c43-4ce4-923e-fd13fdf930c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedInFiscalYearBeforeLatestFiscalYear_65906b96-d2ef-4e70-bf4c-94cc09d62f59" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedTwoYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_732d491e-b573-47eb-8e8d-a24e98fcdff3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedTwoYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorLineItems_2aedf5ad-0c43-4ce4-923e-fd13fdf930c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedTwoYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_732d491e-b573-47eb-8e8d-a24e98fcdff3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedThreeYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_9d9f656e-fc39-4bdd-a920-6ac710935892" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedThreeYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorLineItems_2aedf5ad-0c43-4ce4-923e-fd13fdf930c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedThreeYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_9d9f656e-fc39-4bdd-a920-6ac710935892" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedFourYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_c897d2de-bf27-43fc-ac95-f40fb75b767d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedFourYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorLineItems_2aedf5ad-0c43-4ce4-923e-fd13fdf930c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedFourYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_c897d2de-bf27-43fc-ac95-f40fb75b767d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedFiveOrMoreYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_020483d2-afba-4ae5-b336-1e26edb868b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedFiveOrMoreYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorLineItems_2aedf5ad-0c43-4ce4-923e-fd13fdf930c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseOriginatedFiveOrMoreYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_020483d2-afba-4ae5-b336-1e26edb868b2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLease_8930de71-cf85-460e-ba79-2beb44bf5d2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorLineItems_2aedf5ad-0c43-4ce4-923e-fd13fdf930c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLease_8930de71-cf85-460e-ba79-2beb44bf5d2b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorTable_c0f683d2-dd7b-4544-add0-f18db0360a94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorLineItems_2aedf5ad-0c43-4ce4-923e-fd13fdf930c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorTable_c0f683d2-dd7b-4544-add0-f18db0360a94" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_d848cde5-4f9e-45f5-8254-da43df062386" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseNetInvestmentInLeaseCreditQualityIndicatorTable_c0f683d2-dd7b-4544-add0-f18db0360a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_d848cde5-4f9e-45f5-8254-da43df062386" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_d848cde5-4f9e-45f5-8254-da43df062386_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_d848cde5-4f9e-45f5-8254-da43df062386" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_d848cde5-4f9e-45f5-8254-da43df062386_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_c05bfd79-742b-49f5-9ab7-08b58af45ee8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_d848cde5-4f9e-45f5-8254-da43df062386" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_c05bfd79-742b-49f5-9ab7-08b58af45ee8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_HighMember_819cee36-3356-45f4-b9e6-9fc10db2b13a" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_HighMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_c05bfd79-742b-49f5-9ab7-08b58af45ee8" xlink:to="loc_isrg_HighMember_819cee36-3356-45f4-b9e6-9fc10db2b13a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_ModerateMember_1fedce81-855f-41af-a4f5-2cac50ca8e0c" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_ModerateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_c05bfd79-742b-49f5-9ab7-08b58af45ee8" xlink:to="loc_isrg_ModerateMember_1fedce81-855f-41af-a4f5-2cac50ca8e0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_LowMember_1c38fd10-aa81-412a-82b9-c07fd848a761" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_LowMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_c05bfd79-742b-49f5-9ab7-08b58af45ee8" xlink:to="loc_isrg_LowMember_1c38fd10-aa81-412a-82b9-c07fd848a761" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSScheduleofIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSScheduleofIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSScheduleofIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia7c965fdd3e44baf862e598ea0ce72d0_GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSScheduleofIntangibleAssetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_49df2b85-2f25-4a5c-bcf0-d7d9f9eee4ce" 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_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_cf4d3fff-9c08-4e2a-bf21-de5d6c8570f8" 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_49df2b85-2f25-4a5c-bcf0-d7d9f9eee4ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_cf4d3fff-9c08-4e2a-bf21-de5d6c8570f8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_4ed14e00-99cf-4fe9-b59f-d4c95734f3e9" 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_49df2b85-2f25-4a5c-bcf0-d7d9f9eee4ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_4ed14e00-99cf-4fe9-b59f-d4c95734f3e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_175ae358-a573-4b6d-a650-f846d560dfa8" 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_49df2b85-2f25-4a5c-bcf0-d7d9f9eee4ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_175ae358-a573-4b6d-a650-f846d560dfa8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_c2011bca-6e4e-4234-a0a0-ebfd74917bd2" 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_49df2b85-2f25-4a5c-bcf0-d7d9f9eee4ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_c2011bca-6e4e-4234-a0a0-ebfd74917bd2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_e6dab09b-eea7-453b-bacd-41a6d8ecc9d4" 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_c2011bca-6e4e-4234-a0a0-ebfd74917bd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_e6dab09b-eea7-453b-bacd-41a6d8ecc9d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_e6dab09b-eea7-453b-bacd-41a6d8ecc9d4_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_e6dab09b-eea7-453b-bacd-41a6d8ecc9d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_e6dab09b-eea7-453b-bacd-41a6d8ecc9d4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_618efe16-a2e0-4e75-9d68-66a16b68d947" 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_e6dab09b-eea7-453b-bacd-41a6d8ecc9d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_618efe16-a2e0-4e75-9d68-66a16b68d947" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TechnologyBasedIntangibleAssetsMember_8ab61560-e0f1-4e72-aaf3-dbd59fc3c3a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TechnologyBasedIntangibleAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_618efe16-a2e0-4e75-9d68-66a16b68d947" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TechnologyBasedIntangibleAssetsMember_8ab61560-e0f1-4e72-aaf3-dbd59fc3c3a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember_3da26419-15d3-4d34-a26d-674084db8ba3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_618efe16-a2e0-4e75-9d68-66a16b68d947" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember_3da26419-15d3-4d34-a26d-674084db8ba3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_a5c2902b-2812-4bb4-89fe-e32db8318916" 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_618efe16-a2e0-4e75-9d68-66a16b68d947" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_a5c2902b-2812-4bb4-89fe-e32db8318916" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYScheduleofStockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYScheduleofStockholdersEquityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYScheduleofStockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2bbcac88e3d647bb9cba29c863e78f88_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYScheduleofStockholdersEquityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_fade8eeb-c510-4e5d-b8b6-d79806e0b0f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" 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_ClassOfStockLineItems_fade8eeb-c510-4e5d-b8b6-d79806e0b0f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_36ea1947-360b-41f7-94a8-0e818c584e19" 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_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_36ea1947-360b-41f7-94a8-0e818c584e19" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_d1597eb9-2378-4f91-9501-19ae0e8254bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_d1597eb9-2378-4f91-9501-19ae0e8254bf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_26b88de8-3e0c-4c9f-9c01-390d65268fc3" 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_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_26b88de8-3e0c-4c9f-9c01-390d65268fc3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_64f6335f-fab5-4db8-af7d-83c80053ec04" 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_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_64f6335f-fab5-4db8-af7d-83c80053ec04" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_5a161cbe-d413-4c79-bdf6-3279c5a60dd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_5a161cbe-d413-4c79-bdf6-3279c5a60dd9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_52965cb3-ed9f-43d7-8a91-2c180d0e8395" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_52965cb3-ed9f-43d7-8a91-2c180d0e8395" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_38fdd064-f647-4e0a-b28d-3cb046ec7620" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_38fdd064-f647-4e0a-b28d-3cb046ec7620" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_a69beac9-350d-46c0-bf7b-54f4090b63e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_a69beac9-350d-46c0-bf7b-54f4090b63e4" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_f3f55d43-aa03-4264-abb9-77e6b2de227a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_f3f55d43-aa03-4264-abb9-77e6b2de227a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_ead26d7f-95f2-488b-bfe1-32a5115a5376" 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_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_ead26d7f-95f2-488b-bfe1-32a5115a5376" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_4873cd34-1a0e-481f-936f-1be95a9811cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_4873cd34-1a0e-481f-936f-1be95a9811cd" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_8aa141df-4e5f-407c-a773-7f251910f59b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_8881327a-99e7-4fc8-8c9b-3cc97b388b15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_8aa141df-4e5f-407c-a773-7f251910f59b" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_044a372c-739f-4047-83ac-737c2f7f459b" 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_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_c1091dd9-87c6-479d-ac0c-f99ffa8696fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_52f37d39-19b1-47d9-814a-30805a7a7cb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_fade8eeb-c510-4e5d-b8b6-d79806e0b0f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_52f37d39-19b1-47d9-814a-30805a7a7cb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_e5dc7b15-9b7a-4367-98b2-aad85e42872a" 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_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_52f37d39-19b1-47d9-814a-30805a7a7cb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_e5dc7b15-9b7a-4367-98b2-aad85e42872a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_e5dc7b15-9b7a-4367-98b2-aad85e42872a_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_e5dc7b15-9b7a-4367-98b2-aad85e42872a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_e5dc7b15-9b7a-4367-98b2-aad85e42872a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_6fd1b7da-769d-48d7-9126-1a6a97c3bfbf" 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_e5dc7b15-9b7a-4367-98b2-aad85e42872a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_6fd1b7da-769d-48d7-9126-1a6a97c3bfbf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_57e986ea-986e-48d7-883e-14837dcfc7f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_6fd1b7da-769d-48d7-9126-1a6a97c3bfbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_57e986ea-986e-48d7-883e-14837dcfc7f7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_e412eb3b-81ec-4385-b77c-b6e0a0782dd3" 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_ParentMember_57e986ea-986e-48d7-883e-14837dcfc7f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_e412eb3b-81ec-4385-b77c-b6e0a0782dd3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_0023e05b-3ce4-4a54-aac1-3fd9f0c225a7" 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_ParentMember_57e986ea-986e-48d7-883e-14837dcfc7f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_0023e05b-3ce4-4a54-aac1-3fd9f0c225a7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_04c58650-5871-475d-ba37-517beea48ae6" 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_ParentMember_57e986ea-986e-48d7-883e-14837dcfc7f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_04c58650-5871-475d-ba37-517beea48ae6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_92c55e90-d404-4caf-9d9a-baaca6062d87" 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_ParentMember_57e986ea-986e-48d7-883e-14837dcfc7f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_92c55e90-d404-4caf-9d9a-baaca6062d87" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_c1b1170f-f619-424c-a0ed-a2dedd69e190" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_6fd1b7da-769d-48d7-9126-1a6a97c3bfbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_c1b1170f-f619-424c-a0ed-a2dedd69e190" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYStockRepurchaseProgramDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYStockRepurchaseProgramDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYStockRepurchaseProgramDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i92fcffd9d59a49fbbf2b40abc74fef25_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYStockRepurchaseProgramDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_22416d1c-de13-49f9-85cb-ca686de604a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_afc210d5-a83a-447e-88df-4872eeb06a40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_22416d1c-de13-49f9-85cb-ca686de604a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_afc210d5-a83a-447e-88df-4872eeb06a40" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_405e244c-62f6-4207-896d-4268a37d1bfd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_22416d1c-de13-49f9-85cb-ca686de604a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_405e244c-62f6-4207-896d-4268a37d1bfd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesSettlementPaymentOrReceipt_805a955d-fe1e-4ef7-9976-92e3a3211c6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesSettlementPaymentOrReceipt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_22416d1c-de13-49f9-85cb-ca686de604a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesSettlementPaymentOrReceipt_805a955d-fe1e-4ef7-9976-92e3a3211c6a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_3cff8c3c-3ede-44e6-9f58-903fc31ff687" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_22416d1c-de13-49f9-85cb-ca686de604a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_3cff8c3c-3ede-44e6-9f58-903fc31ff687" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesFinalPricePaidPerShare_9eba148b-0f12-41bb-9575-abb6fde8c1b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesFinalPricePaidPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_22416d1c-de13-49f9-85cb-ca686de604a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesFinalPricePaidPerShare_9eba148b-0f12-41bb-9575-abb6fde8c1b6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_4cf4c58d-5888-472b-8bdf-a9ffc342a544" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_22416d1c-de13-49f9-85cb-ca686de604a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_4cf4c58d-5888-472b-8bdf-a9ffc342a544" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_ed236d9e-98da-4d65-b856-f8adbf65253f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_4cf4c58d-5888-472b-8bdf-a9ffc342a544" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_ed236d9e-98da-4d65-b856-f8adbf65253f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_ed236d9e-98da-4d65-b856-f8adbf65253f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_ed236d9e-98da-4d65-b856-f8adbf65253f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_ed236d9e-98da-4d65-b856-f8adbf65253f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_d4a7524c-073e-404f-bce3-fd3d4c4eda7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_ed236d9e-98da-4d65-b856-f8adbf65253f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_d4a7524c-073e-404f-bce3-fd3d4c4eda7d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_CommonStockRepurchaseProgramMember_840063fe-45e2-40da-a9a0-6948da2041d8" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_CommonStockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_d4a7524c-073e-404f-bce3-fd3d4c4eda7d" xlink:to="loc_isrg_CommonStockRepurchaseProgramMember_840063fe-45e2-40da-a9a0-6948da2041d8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_AcceleratedShareRepurchaseProgramMember_757b6ae0-38ab-468f-8eef-45ec643d258d" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_AcceleratedShareRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_d4a7524c-073e-404f-bce3-fd3d4c4eda7d" xlink:to="loc_isrg_AcceleratedShareRepurchaseProgramMember_757b6ae0-38ab-468f-8eef-45ec643d258d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_c3f4c29d-b148-4e3e-a7d9-b8288b8d15fd" 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_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_4cf4c58d-5888-472b-8bdf-a9ffc342a544" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_c3f4c29d-b148-4e3e-a7d9-b8288b8d15fd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_c3f4c29d-b148-4e3e-a7d9-b8288b8d15fd_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_c3f4c29d-b148-4e3e-a7d9-b8288b8d15fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_c3f4c29d-b148-4e3e-a7d9-b8288b8d15fd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d7a90f72-15c6-418b-beff-e1e4b7f689e4" 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_c3f4c29d-b148-4e3e-a7d9-b8288b8d15fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_d7a90f72-15c6-418b-beff-e1e4b7f689e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_90269dd2-d21f-4d2e-b8ac-635d0ed164a8" 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_d7a90f72-15c6-418b-beff-e1e4b7f689e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_90269dd2-d21f-4d2e-b8ac-635d0ed164a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYScheduleofShareRepurchaseActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYScheduleofShareRepurchaseActivitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYScheduleofShareRepurchaseActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i05aa275c42b143149038a68aec72cdcc_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYScheduleofShareRepurchaseActivitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_1cff927f-9575-4482-a75c-23e3e3d733bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_78d8902b-c788-4d2c-adbe-26b79a705f59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_1cff927f-9575-4482-a75c-23e3e3d733bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_78d8902b-c788-4d2c-adbe-26b79a705f59" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_6f9a0a09-b8f9-4e4a-bfa7-8d530b0a8296" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_1cff927f-9575-4482-a75c-23e3e3d733bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_6f9a0a09-b8f9-4e4a-bfa7-8d530b0a8296" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_9b245c55-eb8a-4dd7-941d-95cd73c467d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_1cff927f-9575-4482-a75c-23e3e3d733bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_9b245c55-eb8a-4dd7-941d-95cd73c467d7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_ca16db03-9084-4c62-a295-7a1ea34ba120" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_1cff927f-9575-4482-a75c-23e3e3d733bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_ca16db03-9084-4c62-a295-7a1ea34ba120" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_614f5816-7fa4-4125-b0fb-18b214f5658e" 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_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_ca16db03-9084-4c62-a295-7a1ea34ba120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_614f5816-7fa4-4125-b0fb-18b214f5658e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_614f5816-7fa4-4125-b0fb-18b214f5658e_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_614f5816-7fa4-4125-b0fb-18b214f5658e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_614f5816-7fa4-4125-b0fb-18b214f5658e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_056601ad-1778-4aa7-8682-1241588ee8a2" 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_614f5816-7fa4-4125-b0fb-18b214f5658e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_056601ad-1778-4aa7-8682-1241588ee8a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_77f0fcd5-382a-4b96-b1ee-601fab301e56" 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_056601ad-1778-4aa7-8682-1241588ee8a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_77f0fcd5-382a-4b96-b1ee-601fab301e56" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_b6d75875-5c9b-4643-bf41-a3f20f7011a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_ca16db03-9084-4c62-a295-7a1ea34ba120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_b6d75875-5c9b-4643-bf41-a3f20f7011a2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_b6d75875-5c9b-4643-bf41-a3f20f7011a2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_b6d75875-5c9b-4643-bf41-a3f20f7011a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_b6d75875-5c9b-4643-bf41-a3f20f7011a2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_c89c77e1-9753-4aca-909d-49cdbaf2799e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_b6d75875-5c9b-4643-bf41-a3f20f7011a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_c89c77e1-9753-4aca-909d-49cdbaf2799e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_CommonStockRepurchaseProgramMember_f2c3a53b-d327-4cf5-b8f6-76023ad9eb53" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_CommonStockRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_c89c77e1-9753-4aca-909d-49cdbaf2799e" xlink:to="loc_isrg_CommonStockRepurchaseProgramMember_f2c3a53b-d327-4cf5-b8f6-76023ad9eb53" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetofTaxDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetofTaxDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetofTaxDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib2b5da1e95934f2a9f5272c463b3663a_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetofTaxDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_e9fa812e-8552-4ad2-84c1-f6d64bef865b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_c81c6bce-4954-4ebb-aae1-dab152cfde83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_e9fa812e-8552-4ad2-84c1-f6d64bef865b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_c81c6bce-4954-4ebb-aae1-dab152cfde83" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_68e29cc9-b610-4472-ba7a-02f14cbbeeaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_c81c6bce-4954-4ebb-aae1-dab152cfde83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_68e29cc9-b610-4472-ba7a-02f14cbbeeaa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_bd3560d1-d773-41e2-9591-d09102d2f5eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_c81c6bce-4954-4ebb-aae1-dab152cfde83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_bd3560d1-d773-41e2-9591-d09102d2f5eb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_fcfceeca-ca46-4753-b2db-45ca98128050" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodBeforeTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_c81c6bce-4954-4ebb-aae1-dab152cfde83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodBeforeTaxAttributableToParent_fcfceeca-ca46-4753-b2db-45ca98128050" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_35610812-db46-4b5b-ac0d-2442f03022e3" 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_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_c81c6bce-4954-4ebb-aae1-dab152cfde83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_35610812-db46-4b5b-ac0d-2442f03022e3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_763c856a-e6aa-47c1-8077-24a6afefad08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_4b8389a7-e273-45a5-9e9f-bab0a7f8476c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_e9fa812e-8552-4ad2-84c1-f6d64bef865b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_4b8389a7-e273-45a5-9e9f-bab0a7f8476c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_747ec4bc-06aa-4953-bc71-420f1535330c" 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_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_4b8389a7-e273-45a5-9e9f-bab0a7f8476c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_747ec4bc-06aa-4953-bc71-420f1535330c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_747ec4bc-06aa-4953-bc71-420f1535330c_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_747ec4bc-06aa-4953-bc71-420f1535330c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_747ec4bc-06aa-4953-bc71-420f1535330c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_42b52998-acd7-4eeb-94db-c3906b449d65" 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_747ec4bc-06aa-4953-bc71-420f1535330c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_42b52998-acd7-4eeb-94db-c3906b449d65" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_ca01d21b-16cc-4cfb-a7de-636f46d423ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_42b52998-acd7-4eeb-94db-c3906b449d65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_ca01d21b-16cc-4cfb-a7de-636f46d423ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_ebf8d26f-fd8c-4f27-b41c-050c91b1bd00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_42b52998-acd7-4eeb-94db-c3906b449d65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_ebf8d26f-fd8c-4f27-b41c-050c91b1bd00" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_c0cbfd49-b387-4a0a-b13f-4166dc9af999" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_42b52998-acd7-4eeb-94db-c3906b449d65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_c0cbfd49-b387-4a0a-b13f-4166dc9af999" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_8b93ca88-4849-4274-8ae8-8da35fefa923" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_42b52998-acd7-4eeb-94db-c3906b449d65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_8b93ca88-4849-4274-8ae8-8da35fefa923" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia74bd36f5b634f1b8cddeb74be055690_SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c89cbf94-a851-4ee1-b8d8-61e88911b540" 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_1b33bfb8-23cf-44c3-a9b6-80134cec515f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c89cbf94-a851-4ee1-b8d8-61e88911b540" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_1b33bfb8-23cf-44c3-a9b6-80134cec515f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_c8346649-9f52-4249-9519-9bf0b3b2601f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c89cbf94-a851-4ee1-b8d8-61e88911b540" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_c8346649-9f52-4249-9519-9bf0b3b2601f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_0fe72e8a-0a2d-455b-8dc4-a4a461d9ef2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c89cbf94-a851-4ee1-b8d8-61e88911b540" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_0fe72e8a-0a2d-455b-8dc4-a4a461d9ef2f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_07cbc296-d7e3-4a57-a10b-ef27ecf8da21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c89cbf94-a851-4ee1-b8d8-61e88911b540" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_07cbc296-d7e3-4a57-a10b-ef27ecf8da21" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_e5435249-901e-4dcd-a7f0-12a2bf378777" 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_c89cbf94-a851-4ee1-b8d8-61e88911b540" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_e5435249-901e-4dcd-a7f0-12a2bf378777" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_e08b6478-c7f3-4c74-8ed9-77348c2dada4" 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_c89cbf94-a851-4ee1-b8d8-61e88911b540" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_e08b6478-c7f3-4c74-8ed9-77348c2dada4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_8f6da59e-69e4-477f-b486-37ccac2b1133" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c89cbf94-a851-4ee1-b8d8-61e88911b540" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_8f6da59e-69e4-477f-b486-37ccac2b1133" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_79124c31-dc99-4cbf-a197-85e6fb6b51c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c89cbf94-a851-4ee1-b8d8-61e88911b540" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_79124c31-dc99-4cbf-a197-85e6fb6b51c2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1b33dbaf-f7f3-4009-bdd2-6951cc0aa4cd" 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_c89cbf94-a851-4ee1-b8d8-61e88911b540" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1b33dbaf-f7f3-4009-bdd2-6951cc0aa4cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_207f1945-6f6c-4feb-9786-141b40f7d6d6" 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_1b33dbaf-f7f3-4009-bdd2-6951cc0aa4cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_207f1945-6f6c-4feb-9786-141b40f7d6d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_207f1945-6f6c-4feb-9786-141b40f7d6d6_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_207f1945-6f6c-4feb-9786-141b40f7d6d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_207f1945-6f6c-4feb-9786-141b40f7d6d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_f2fb0fa3-1f87-4c40-b2ba-79d14c14a06d" 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_207f1945-6f6c-4feb-9786-141b40f7d6d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_f2fb0fa3-1f87-4c40-b2ba-79d14c14a06d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_A2010IncentiveAwardPlanMember_8ac52fc6-deb4-4c02-bc38-ae9bd270b096" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_A2010IncentiveAwardPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_f2fb0fa3-1f87-4c40-b2ba-79d14c14a06d" xlink:to="loc_isrg_A2010IncentiveAwardPlanMember_8ac52fc6-deb4-4c02-bc38-ae9bd270b096" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2d043c8a-d5d8-4770-b960-35d89437cc2e" 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_1b33dbaf-f7f3-4009-bdd2-6951cc0aa4cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2d043c8a-d5d8-4770-b960-35d89437cc2e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2d043c8a-d5d8-4770-b960-35d89437cc2e_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_2d043c8a-d5d8-4770-b960-35d89437cc2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_2d043c8a-d5d8-4770-b960-35d89437cc2e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4ddb7647-d9e0-4673-afba-ef808af2b361" 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_2d043c8a-d5d8-4770-b960-35d89437cc2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4ddb7647-d9e0-4673-afba-ef808af2b361" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_ddbc7280-e74e-4456-abc7-0c170b214fcb" 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_4ddb7647-d9e0-4673-afba-ef808af2b361" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_ddbc7280-e74e-4456-abc7-0c170b214fcb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_7ab79a79-0860-47b9-9f4e-466900560867" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4ddb7647-d9e0-4673-afba-ef808af2b361" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_7ab79a79-0860-47b9-9f4e-466900560867" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_PerformanceShareUnitsPSUsMember_50736092-01d0-49c4-83cb-efa07dcde076" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_PerformanceShareUnitsPSUsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4ddb7647-d9e0-4673-afba-ef808af2b361" xlink:to="loc_isrg_PerformanceShareUnitsPSUsMember_50736092-01d0-49c4-83cb-efa07dcde076" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONSummaryofRSUActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONSummaryofRSUActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONSummaryofRSUActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4ba52704ca1f4e9ba799cd2c2af67a1a_SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONSummaryofRSUActivityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_392883ce-b0a3-456f-8b43-8eabbdc89f47" 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_49693720-00d7-4e33-82c3-65cd7c7f121b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_392883ce-b0a3-456f-8b43-8eabbdc89f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_49693720-00d7-4e33-82c3-65cd7c7f121b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_5b9d169e-aa2b-4b48-bc06-935cb6e90112" 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_49693720-00d7-4e33-82c3-65cd7c7f121b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_5b9d169e-aa2b-4b48-bc06-935cb6e90112" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_94055398-c729-4e15-be65-60f9756d1428" 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_49693720-00d7-4e33-82c3-65cd7c7f121b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_94055398-c729-4e15-be65-60f9756d1428" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_f15e9b7d-9b93-4fb9-a6e2-ebe34fc8c7a7" 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_49693720-00d7-4e33-82c3-65cd7c7f121b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_f15e9b7d-9b93-4fb9-a6e2-ebe34fc8c7a7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_452e676c-7c09-4eac-a97b-d761f53346f9" 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_49693720-00d7-4e33-82c3-65cd7c7f121b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_452e676c-7c09-4eac-a97b-d761f53346f9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_b565af9f-7416-4e55-8aba-2ef8ab628cd0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_5f4e1e19-8da6-49af-a008-aac8ed183a0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_392883ce-b0a3-456f-8b43-8eabbdc89f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_5f4e1e19-8da6-49af-a008-aac8ed183a0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2796e624-eaf0-49c1-88e1-f111b560d68f" 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_5f4e1e19-8da6-49af-a008-aac8ed183a0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_2796e624-eaf0-49c1-88e1-f111b560d68f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_a6c5a1ed-6daa-4ecc-9d10-cd5a92646d1d" 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_5f4e1e19-8da6-49af-a008-aac8ed183a0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_a6c5a1ed-6daa-4ecc-9d10-cd5a92646d1d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_a2c7cc5b-3e4b-40b4-b00c-3c1cb761f3a7" 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_5f4e1e19-8da6-49af-a008-aac8ed183a0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_a2c7cc5b-3e4b-40b4-b00c-3c1cb761f3a7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_361efe4c-bce9-480c-bdc1-fafeaa91748e" 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_5f4e1e19-8da6-49af-a008-aac8ed183a0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_361efe4c-bce9-480c-bdc1-fafeaa91748e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_8f240951-b309-43e8-ae7d-ac6dceb5c5b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_38175d77-d403-4d61-8da6-6027a5671a33" 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_392883ce-b0a3-456f-8b43-8eabbdc89f47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_38175d77-d403-4d61-8da6-6027a5671a33" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_c22e30bd-22c2-4865-9e35-33ab14b9ab90" 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_38175d77-d403-4d61-8da6-6027a5671a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_c22e30bd-22c2-4865-9e35-33ab14b9ab90" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_c22e30bd-22c2-4865-9e35-33ab14b9ab90_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_c22e30bd-22c2-4865-9e35-33ab14b9ab90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_c22e30bd-22c2-4865-9e35-33ab14b9ab90_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_08867612-c0c5-419d-aada-c3258f5a8a55" 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_c22e30bd-22c2-4865-9e35-33ab14b9ab90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_08867612-c0c5-419d-aada-c3258f5a8a55" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_c848b505-1e94-4707-99cf-ef6b85c696ed" 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_08867612-c0c5-419d-aada-c3258f5a8a55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_c848b505-1e94-4707-99cf-ef6b85c696ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i88a38dfe216b4e4f94e5f82ed2abb192_SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_dd46413f-a1b9-4033-8168-70ef18dff7ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_abf04b55-dea6-44d6-afbe-9a44e7a70688" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_dd46413f-a1b9-4033-8168-70ef18dff7ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_abf04b55-dea6-44d6-afbe-9a44e7a70688" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_a1a73136-27f1-4d76-9d6c-9efff28b36eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_dd46413f-a1b9-4033-8168-70ef18dff7ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_a1a73136-27f1-4d76-9d6c-9efff28b36eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax_05427f7b-b12f-40d0-81e7-80913d2efec4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_dd46413f-a1b9-4033-8168-70ef18dff7ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax_05427f7b-b12f-40d0-81e7-80913d2efec4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_547e8249-d44f-4a16-a828-fd66ec58f724" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_dd46413f-a1b9-4033-8168-70ef18dff7ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_547e8249-d44f-4a16-a828-fd66ec58f724" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_68a6b30d-faa5-4a8b-a927-8bec7a29a1ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_547e8249-d44f-4a16-a828-fd66ec58f724" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_68a6b30d-faa5-4a8b-a927-8bec7a29a1ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_68a6b30d-faa5-4a8b-a927-8bec7a29a1ca_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_68a6b30d-faa5-4a8b-a927-8bec7a29a1ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_68a6b30d-faa5-4a8b-a927-8bec7a29a1ca_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_f2bd548d-ef45-4037-b6a9-fc29b6c3fab0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_68a6b30d-faa5-4a8b-a927-8bec7a29a1ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_f2bd548d-ef45-4037-b6a9-fc29b6c3fab0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember_262471b2-2e12-451c-942a-0c33de60aca5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_f2bd548d-ef45-4037-b6a9-fc29b6c3fab0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember_262471b2-2e12-451c-942a-0c33de60aca5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeMember_81ba256b-9cb3-4e0a-8f6f-f70ff542c0b7" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_f2bd548d-ef45-4037-b6a9-fc29b6c3fab0" xlink:to="loc_isrg_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeMember_81ba256b-9cb3-4e0a-8f6f-f70ff542c0b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_ResearchAndDevelopmentMember_91084b2a-4016-4df5-9f28-aa1ea9f964bb" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_ResearchAndDevelopmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_f2bd548d-ef45-4037-b6a9-fc29b6c3fab0" xlink:to="loc_isrg_ResearchAndDevelopmentMember_91084b2a-4016-4df5-9f28-aa1ea9f964bb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_ConsolidatingReportingAxis_245f18a6-c3dd-416c-baa1-c4a059258f06" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_ConsolidatingReportingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_547e8249-d44f-4a16-a828-fd66ec58f724" xlink:to="loc_isrg_ConsolidatingReportingAxis_245f18a6-c3dd-416c-baa1-c4a059258f06" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_ConsolidatingReportingDomain_245f18a6-c3dd-416c-baa1-c4a059258f06_default" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_ConsolidatingReportingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_isrg_ConsolidatingReportingAxis_245f18a6-c3dd-416c-baa1-c4a059258f06" xlink:to="loc_isrg_ConsolidatingReportingDomain_245f18a6-c3dd-416c-baa1-c4a059258f06_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_ConsolidatingReportingDomain_e4b8cddd-3ab1-493c-bcd9-176223fa6403" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_ConsolidatingReportingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_isrg_ConsolidatingReportingAxis_245f18a6-c3dd-416c-baa1-c4a059258f06" xlink:to="loc_isrg_ConsolidatingReportingDomain_e4b8cddd-3ab1-493c-bcd9-176223fa6403" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_CostOfSalesProductMember_3e105421-fbb9-4ae7-88ff-e02b97ca854a" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_CostOfSalesProductMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_ConsolidatingReportingDomain_e4b8cddd-3ab1-493c-bcd9-176223fa6403" xlink:to="loc_isrg_CostOfSalesProductMember_3e105421-fbb9-4ae7-88ff-e02b97ca854a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_CostOfSalesServiceMember_7ee43f01-9452-4607-97ed-25ebe012ee32" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_CostOfSalesServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_ConsolidatingReportingDomain_e4b8cddd-3ab1-493c-bcd9-176223fa6403" xlink:to="loc_isrg_CostOfSalesServiceMember_7ee43f01-9452-4607-97ed-25ebe012ee32" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONScheduleofEstimatedFairValueofOptionUsingBlackScholesOptionPricingModelWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONScheduleofEstimatedFairValueofOptionUsingBlackScholesOptionPricingModelWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONScheduleofEstimatedFairValueofOptionUsingBlackScholesOptionPricingModelWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1b03f020941345e1a2313b211a242944_SHAREBASEDCOMPENSATIONScheduleofEstimatedFairValueofOptionUsingBlackScholesOptionPricingModelWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b7e2a4a1-1b3c-45dd-8055-e41e2250d5ad" 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_isrg_StockOptionsAbstract_262ea258-ec21-4ebe-aaf6-59365efe8ac9" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_StockOptionsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b7e2a4a1-1b3c-45dd-8055-e41e2250d5ad" xlink:to="loc_isrg_StockOptionsAbstract_262ea258-ec21-4ebe-aaf6-59365efe8ac9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_4c9e232f-5ce3-4c27-a1eb-1b34caf407ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_StockOptionsAbstract_262ea258-ec21-4ebe-aaf6-59365efe8ac9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_4c9e232f-5ce3-4c27-a1eb-1b34caf407ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_7f3d7424-faa8-49f4-9bda-72fcb52dbdfb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_StockOptionsAbstract_262ea258-ec21-4ebe-aaf6-59365efe8ac9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_7f3d7424-faa8-49f4-9bda-72fcb52dbdfb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate_dc41db37-9145-47e5-af28-d9f84fd16354" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_StockOptionsAbstract_262ea258-ec21-4ebe-aaf6-59365efe8ac9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate_dc41db37-9145-47e5-af28-d9f84fd16354" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1fd62da5-f864-45fa-bee5-20ac6dc4acdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_isrg_StockOptionsAbstract_262ea258-ec21-4ebe-aaf6-59365efe8ac9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1fd62da5-f864-45fa-bee5-20ac6dc4acdd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_isrg_EmployeeStockPurchaseProgramAbstract_242a2900-fbfa-42a3-be39-7b2ba5aef277" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#isrg_EmployeeStockPurchaseProgramAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b7e2a4a1-1b3c-45dd-8055-e41e2250d5ad" xlink:to="loc_isrg_EmployeeStockPurchaseProgramAbstract_242a2900-fbfa-42a3-be39-7b2ba5aef277" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_85e531a0-597f-4cc1-ab82-2314042bc901" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_f2f7577b-b2e4-4f19-b398-4bc827938479" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate_00899f76-08ec-48c7-a4ee-d3ff191479d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_5a7454d0-5816-4081-bd9d-f758569885e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_dbad029c-5b9f-418f-9870-fac2e84ddb87" 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_b7e2a4a1-1b3c-45dd-8055-e41e2250d5ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_dbad029c-5b9f-418f-9870-fac2e84ddb87" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b6731fd0-d018-49a1-9db8-3df40dc8487a" 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_dbad029c-5b9f-418f-9870-fac2e84ddb87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b6731fd0-d018-49a1-9db8-3df40dc8487a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b6731fd0-d018-49a1-9db8-3df40dc8487a_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_b6731fd0-d018-49a1-9db8-3df40dc8487a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b6731fd0-d018-49a1-9db8-3df40dc8487a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_42209283-ddf8-4fa8-a4c7-5c0b858d2be5" 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_b6731fd0-d018-49a1-9db8-3df40dc8487a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_42209283-ddf8-4fa8-a4c7-5c0b858d2be5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionMember_772a39ff-c6f8-4d6e-964c-80b5617b6577" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_42209283-ddf8-4fa8-a4c7-5c0b858d2be5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionMember_772a39ff-c6f8-4d6e-964c-80b5617b6577" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_f869d5f7-6180-4ff9-8cd7-865f3847e059" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_42209283-ddf8-4fa8-a4c7-5c0b858d2be5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_f869d5f7-6180-4ff9-8cd7-865f3847e059" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/INCOMETAXESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#INCOMETAXESAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/INCOMETAXESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie7f5c8f12faf493a9d48024e20e02a58_INCOMETAXESAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_79fc6581-da57-4cd3-b7c9-2c85067bd7ed" 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_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_f887ba32-9b60-4444-8672-15b6deaab850" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_79fc6581-da57-4cd3-b7c9-2c85067bd7ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_f887ba32-9b60-4444-8672-15b6deaab850" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_a81875a3-c5fa-4d1d-b8c3-95eb5d8cf230" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_79fc6581-da57-4cd3-b7c9-2c85067bd7ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_a81875a3-c5fa-4d1d-b8c3-95eb5d8cf230" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities_9cd3fb3f-53ec-4bdd-a24e-cfa7804db474" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_79fc6581-da57-4cd3-b7c9-2c85067bd7ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities_9cd3fb3f-53ec-4bdd-a24e-cfa7804db474" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_1b520e86-9264-439d-8d33-a8e326f28d3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_79fc6581-da57-4cd3-b7c9-2c85067bd7ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_1b520e86-9264-439d-8d33-a8e326f28d3e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitAmount_5e2c3b8d-38d7-498b-be45-c4a0b96b3502" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_79fc6581-da57-4cd3-b7c9-2c85067bd7ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitAmount_5e2c3b8d-38d7-498b-be45-c4a0b96b3502" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitPercent_19c2179d-d876-4ed7-a3f4-ee041f69e90d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems_79fc6581-da57-4cd3-b7c9-2c85067bd7ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationExcessTaxBenefitPercent_19c2179d-d876-4ed7-a3f4-ee041f69e90d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_c12a515a-bf79-4353-9957-f8c6b6e00883" 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_79fc6581-da57-4cd3-b7c9-2c85067bd7ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsTable_c12a515a-bf79-4353-9957-f8c6b6e00883" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_50dcf83c-3f0a-47b2-8c4f-49ddf2389e46" 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_c12a515a-bf79-4353-9957-f8c6b6e00883" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_50dcf83c-3f0a-47b2-8c4f-49ddf2389e46" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_50dcf83c-3f0a-47b2-8c4f-49ddf2389e46_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_50dcf83c-3f0a-47b2-8c4f-49ddf2389e46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_50dcf83c-3f0a-47b2-8c4f-49ddf2389e46_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_971cf20d-d285-42b7-9d50-e4646d383ef0" 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_50dcf83c-3f0a-47b2-8c4f-49ddf2389e46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_971cf20d-d285-42b7-9d50-e4646d383ef0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember_bf4a68b3-e98f-44c0-bc70-23096599e38e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_971cf20d-d285-42b7-9d50-e4646d383ef0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember_bf4a68b3-e98f-44c0-bc70-23096599e38e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/SUBSEQUENTEVENTDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="isrg-20220930.xsd#SUBSEQUENTEVENTDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/role/SUBSEQUENTEVENTDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ieda97bfe9f504c10812da2e30ff66f29_SUBSEQUENTEVENTDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_e3dd475c-72a7-4a38-8fce-10a01724ef7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue_aad443ea-3165-404e-a984-b0f7eabdb602" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_e3dd475c-72a7-4a38-8fce-10a01724ef7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue_aad443ea-3165-404e-a984-b0f7eabdb602" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_67d4e9c0-44d2-4c8d-b8cd-4faf0430c376" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_e3dd475c-72a7-4a38-8fce-10a01724ef7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_67d4e9c0-44d2-4c8d-b8cd-4faf0430c376" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_03bb800a-d452-4faf-9df3-4959a38ab576" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_67d4e9c0-44d2-4c8d-b8cd-4faf0430c376" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_03bb800a-d452-4faf-9df3-4959a38ab576" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_03bb800a-d452-4faf-9df3-4959a38ab576_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_03bb800a-d452-4faf-9df3-4959a38ab576" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_03bb800a-d452-4faf-9df3-4959a38ab576_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_6b4492d0-9632-4b34-adcf-1c37894fecdf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_03bb800a-d452-4faf-9df3-4959a38ab576" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_6b4492d0-9632-4b34-adcf-1c37894fecdf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_c496adaf-3408-453b-a1a2-f821060115f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_6b4492d0-9632-4b34-adcf-1c37894fecdf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_c496adaf-3408-453b-a1a2-f821060115f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
