

    <!-- Field: Doc-Info; Name: Generator; Value: GoXBRL; Version: 5.0a -->
    <!-- Field: Doc-Info; Name: VendorURI; Value: http://www.novaworks.co -->
    <!-- Field: Doc-Info; Name: Source; Value: TSEM 0619 6K.xfr; Date: 2019%2D07%2D28T14:10:01Z -->
    <!-- Field: Doc-Info; Name: Status; Value: 0x80040000 -->
<link:linkbase xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-daei1" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem-daei1" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-ccbs" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem-ccbs" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/CondensedInterimConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#CondensedInterimConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-ccsoo1" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem-ccsoo1" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-cccil" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem-cccil" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-csocise" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem-csocise" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-ccsocf" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem-ccsocf" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-g" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem-g" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/InitialAdoptionOfNewStandards" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#InitialAdoptionOfNewStandards" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-rd" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem-rd" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/GeneralDetails" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#GeneralDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/InitialAdoptionOfNewStandardsDetails" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#InitialAdoptionOfNewStandardsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/RecentDevelopmentsTpscoLoansFromJapaneseFinancialInstitutionsDetails" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#RecentDevelopmentsTpscoLoansFromJapaneseFinancialInstitutionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://towerjazz.com/role/RecentDevelopmentsEquityGrantsToCeoAndDirectorsDetails" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#RecentDevelopmentsEquityGrantsToCeoAndDirectorsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#notAll" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/notAll" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-daei1" xlink:title="00000001 - Document - Document and Entity Information" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-ccbs" xlink:title="00000002 - Statement - CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/CondensedInterimConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:title="00000003 - Statement - CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-ccsoo1" xlink:title="00000004 - Statement - CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-cccil" xlink:title="00000005 - Statement - CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-csocise" xlink:title="00000006 - Statement - CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_10" xlink:type="arc" order="11" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_CapitalNotesMember" xlink:label="loc_tsemCapitalNotesMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_tsemCapitalNotesMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember_30" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDeferredCompensationShareBasedPaymentsMember_30" xlink:type="arc" order="31" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_40" xlink:type="arc" order="41" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_50" xlink:type="arc" order="51" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRetainedEarningsMember_60" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRetainedEarningsMember_60" xlink:type="arc" order="61" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapTreasuryStockMember_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapTreasuryStockMember_70" xlink:type="arc" order="71" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapComprehensiveIncomeMember_80" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapComprehensiveIncomeMember_80" xlink:type="arc" order="81" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapNoncontrollingInterestMember_90" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapNoncontrollingInterestMember_90" xlink:type="arc" order="91" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquity_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquity_120" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSharesOutstanding_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSharesOutstanding_120" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_120" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_120" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_120" xlink:type="arc" order="5" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueOther" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueOther_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueOther_120" xlink:type="arc" order="6" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesOther" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesOther_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesOther_120" xlink:type="arc" order="7" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_120" xlink:type="arc" order="8" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_StockbasedCompensationRelatedToFacilityAgreementWithBanks" xlink:label="loc_tsemStockbasedCompensationRelatedToFacilityAgreementWithBanks_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_120" xlink:to="loc_tsemStockbasedCompensationRelatedToFacilityAgreementWithBanks_120" xlink:type="arc" order="9" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapMinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapMinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_120" xlink:type="arc" order="10" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_120" xlink:type="arc" order="11" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_120" xlink:type="arc" order="12" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_120" xlink:type="arc" order="13" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapProfitLoss_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapProfitLoss_120" xlink:type="arc" order="14" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_120" xlink:type="arc" order="15" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax_120" xlink:type="arc" order="16" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_120" xlink:type="arc" order="17" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_120" xlink:type="arc" order="18" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_CommonStockSharesOutstandingNetOfTreasuryStock" xlink:label="loc_tsemCommonStockSharesOutstandingNetOfTreasuryStock_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tsemCommonStockSharesOutstandingNetOfTreasuryStock_120" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-ccsocf" xlink:title="00000007 - Statement - CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-g" xlink:title="00000008 - Disclosure - GENERAL" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/InitialAdoptionOfNewStandards" xlink:title="00000009 - Disclosure - INITIAL ADOPTION OF NEW STANDARDS" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/tsem-rd" xlink:title="00000010 - Disclosure - RECENT DEVELOPMENTS" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/GeneralDetails" xlink:title="00000011 - Disclosure - GENERAL (Details)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_TowerJazzPanasonicSemiconductorCoLtdMember" xlink:label="loc_tsemTowerJazzPanasonicSemiconductorCoLtdMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:to="loc_tsemTowerJazzPanasonicSemiconductorCoLtdMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapBusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_20" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/InitialAdoptionOfNewStandardsDetails" xlink:title="00000012 - Disclosure - INITIAL ADOPTION OF NEW STANDARDS (Details)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/RecentDevelopmentsTpscoLoansFromJapaneseFinancialInstitutionsDetails" xlink:title="00000013 - Disclosure - RECENT DEVELOPMENTS (TPSCo new agreements) (Details)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_RecentDevelopmentsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_RecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:label="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_deiLegalEntityAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:to="loc_deiLegalEntityAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_deiEntityDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_deiLegalEntityAxis" xlink:to="loc_deiEntityDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019/dei-2019-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_deiEntityDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_deiLegalEntityAxis" xlink:to="loc_deiEntityDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_TpscoMember" xlink:label="loc_tsemTpscoMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_deiEntityDomain" xlink:to="loc_tsemTpscoMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransactionTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapTransactionTypeAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapTransactionTypeAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapTransactionDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransactionTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapTransactionDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapTransactionDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransactionTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapTransactionDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_CurrencyAxis" xlink:label="loc_srtCurrencyAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:to="loc_srtCurrencyAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2019/currency-2019-01-31.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain" xlink:label="loc_currencyAllCurrenciesDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srtCurrencyAxis" xlink:to="loc_currencyAllCurrenciesDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2019/currency-2019-01-31.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain" xlink:label="loc_currencyAllCurrenciesDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_srtCurrencyAxis" xlink:to="loc_currencyAllCurrenciesDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_EstimatedRevenueReductionsFromChangeInPriceStructure" xlink:label="loc_tsemEstimatedRevenueReductionsFromChangeInPriceStructure_30" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tsemEstimatedRevenueReductionsFromChangeInPriceStructure_30" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://towerjazz.com/role/RecentDevelopmentsEquityGrantsToCeoAndDirectorsDetails" xlink:title="00000014 - Disclosure - RECENT DEVELOPMENTS (Equity Grants to CEO and Directors) (Details)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_RecentDevelopmentsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_RecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:label="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_TwoThousandThirteenShareIncentivePlanMember" xlink:label="loc_tsemTwoThousandThirteenShareIncentivePlanMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tsemTwoThousandThirteenShareIncentivePlanMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:label="loc_srtTitleOfIndividualAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:to="loc_srtTitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_srtTitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srtTitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:to="loc_srtTitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_TitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_srtTitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_srtTitleOfIndividualAxis" xlink:to="loc_srtTitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" xlink:label="loc_srtChiefExecutiveOfficerMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srtTitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:to="loc_srtChiefExecutiveOfficerMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_BoardOfDirectorsChairmanMember" xlink:label="loc_srtBoardOfDirectorsChairmanMember_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srtTitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:to="loc_srtBoardOfDirectorsChairmanMember_50" xlink:type="arc" order="52" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_BoardOfDirectorsMember" xlink:label="loc_tsemBoardOfDirectorsMember_60" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srtTitleOfIndividualWithRelationshipToEntityDomain" xlink:to="loc_tsemBoardOfDirectorsMember_60" xlink:type="arc" order="62" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_TimeVestedRestrictedStockUnitsMember" xlink:label="loc_tsemTimeVestedRestrictedStockUnitsMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_tsemTimeVestedRestrictedStockUnitsMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_30" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_30" xlink:type="arc" order="33" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_srtRangeAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:to="loc_srtRangeAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srtRangeMember" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srtRangeAxis" xlink:to="loc_srtRangeMember" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srtRangeMember_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_srtRangeAxis" xlink:to="loc_srtRangeMember_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_srtMinimumMember_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srtRangeMember" xlink:to="loc_srtMinimumMember_10" xlink:type="arc" order="14" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapVestingAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapVestingAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="5" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapVestingDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapVestingAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapVestingDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapVestingDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapVestingAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapVestingDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapVestingDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_70" xlink:type="arc" order="74" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_80" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapVestingDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_80" xlink:type="arc" order="84" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_100" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_100" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_100" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_100" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="tsem-20190630.xsd#tsem_PercentageOfVestingEquity" xlink:label="loc_tsemPercentageOfVestingEquity_100" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_tsemPercentageOfVestingEquity_100" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensation_100" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tsemRecentDevelopmentsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensation_100" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
    </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>