<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!--XBRL Document Created with WebFilings-->
<!-- -->
<linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestitures" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#AcquisitionsAndDivestitures" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestituresTables" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#AcquisitionsAndDivestituresTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/BasisOfPresentation" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#BasisOfPresentation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfEarnings" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfEarnings" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityAndComprehensiveLossIncome" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityAndComprehensiveLossIncome" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityAndComprehensiveLossIncomeParenthetical" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityAndComprehensiveLossIncomeParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/Debt" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#Debt" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#DebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/DebtLineOfCreditFacilityDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#DebtLineOfCreditFacilityDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/DebtTables" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#DebtTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/DivestituresDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#DivestituresDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#EarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/Inventories" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#Inventories" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/InventoriesDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#InventoriesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/InventoriesTables" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#InventoriesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ManagementActions" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#ManagementActions" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ManagementActionsDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#ManagementActionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ManagementActionsTables" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#ManagementActionsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/NewlyAdoptedAccountingPronouncements" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#NewlyAdoptedAccountingPronouncements" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactions" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/RetirementBenefitPlans" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#RetirementBenefitPlans" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/RetirementBenefitPlansDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#RetirementBenefitPlansDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/RetirementBenefitPlansTables" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#RetirementBenefitPlansTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/SegmentReporting" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#SegmentReporting" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/SegmentReportingTables" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#SegmentReportingTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/Warranty" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#Warranty" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/WarrantyDetails" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#WarrantyDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tennantco.com/role/WarrantyTables" xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#WarrantyTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestitures" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/AcquisitionsAndDivestituresTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C9B1480310275A35D1323DCA1F989A82" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_439D96AFD34CB45192A23DCA1F984927" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C9B1480310275A35D1323DCA1F989A82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_439D96AFD34CB45192A23DCA1F984927" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7CF2BA72AD45209FD9A63DCA1F98EF83" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_439D96AFD34CB45192A23DCA1F984927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7CF2BA72AD45209FD9A63DCA1F98EF83" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_884AFEC5E3CBA0B5D25A3DCA1F989FAE_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7CF2BA72AD45209FD9A63DCA1F98EF83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_884AFEC5E3CBA0B5D25A3DCA1F989FAE_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_884AFEC5E3CBA0B5D25A3DCA1F989FAE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7CF2BA72AD45209FD9A63DCA1F98EF83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_884AFEC5E3CBA0B5D25A3DCA1F989FAE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_WaterStarIncMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_WaterStarIncMember_6E3D190B1FC45771FB793DCA1F98FFEC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_884AFEC5E3CBA0B5D25A3DCA1F989FAE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_WaterStarIncMember_6E3D190B1FC45771FB793DCA1F98FFEC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEffectiveDateOfAcquisition1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEffectiveDateOfAcquisition1_74F562C8E9C125B612DC3DCA1F98D483" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C9B1480310275A35D1323DCA1F989A82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEffectiveDateOfAcquisition1_74F562C8E9C125B612DC3DCA1F98D483" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityPurchasePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityPurchasePrice_3F21143CF0DB31D701853DCAC890097E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C9B1480310275A35D1323DCA1F989A82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityPurchasePrice_3F21143CF0DB31D701853DCAC890097E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_06B2CD3B1D98C3B815BA3DCA1F98B2AB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C9B1480310275A35D1323DCA1F989A82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_06B2CD3B1D98C3B815BA3DCA1F98B2AB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_NumberOfInstallmentPaymentsToBePaid" xlink:label="loc_tnc_NumberOfInstallmentPaymentsToBePaid_36B13C591246482666F13DCA1F985C54" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C9B1480310275A35D1323DCA1F989A82" xlink:to="loc_tnc_NumberOfInstallmentPaymentsToBePaid_36B13C591246482666F13DCA1F985C54" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_AmountOfInstallmentPaymentsToBePaid" xlink:label="loc_tnc_AmountOfInstallmentPaymentsToBePaid_4838D332D2C49539BCC83DCA1F98EB42" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C9B1480310275A35D1323DCA1F989A82" xlink:to="loc_tnc_AmountOfInstallmentPaymentsToBePaid_4838D332D2C49539BCC83DCA1F98EB42" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract_2D958270A8DDD699AADD3DCA1F98F986" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C9B1480310275A35D1323DCA1F989A82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract_2D958270A8DDD699AADD3DCA1F98F986" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationCurrentAssets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationCurrentAssets_071966860190AE4DBC9E3DCA1F98AD42" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract_2D958270A8DDD699AADD3DCA1F98F986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationCurrentAssets_071966860190AE4DBC9E3DCA1F98AD42" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationPropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_2F33210A642734436CB13DCA1FA70227" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract_2D958270A8DDD699AADD3DCA1F98F986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_2F33210A642734436CB13DCA1FA70227" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAmortizableIntangibleAssets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAmortizableIntangibleAssets_8182EA0A9D1A3BCF41163DCA1FA7A02B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract_2D958270A8DDD699AADD3DCA1F98F986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAmortizableIntangibleAssets_8182EA0A9D1A3BCF41163DCA1FA7A02B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillAmount_DC1BBF09982A87933EFD3DCA1FA79BFD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract_2D958270A8DDD699AADD3DCA1F98F986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillAmount_DC1BBF09982A87933EFD3DCA1FA79BFD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquired" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquired_4269CBA0117DC842DDEE3DCA1FA74F25" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract_2D958270A8DDD699AADD3DCA1F98F986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquired_4269CBA0117DC842DDEE3DCA1FA74F25" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationCurrentLiabilities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationCurrentLiabilities_2148F58490C59DAF05F13DCA1FA76087" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract_2D958270A8DDD699AADD3DCA1F98F986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationCurrentLiabilities_2148F58490C59DAF05F13DCA1FA76087" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationLiabilitiesAssumed" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationLiabilitiesAssumed_B5545E119858684AB92A3DCA1FA7931A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract_2D958270A8DDD699AADD3DCA1F98F986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationLiabilitiesAssumed_B5545E119858684AB92A3DCA1FA7931A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumedNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumedNet_E6C223AA05AD38F720A73DCA1FA7E21E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAbstract_2D958270A8DDD699AADD3DCA1F98F986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumedNet_E6C223AA05AD38F720A73DCA1FA7E21E" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/BasisOfPresentation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_05D306C77F513C9106B238B7446B8F6D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_6CF899CED7A7A92477F938B7446B4B8C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_05D306C77F513C9106B238B7446B8F6D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_6CF899CED7A7A92477F938B7446B4B8C" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_B0E4ABACEBC28339669A38B7446B4154" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_6CF899CED7A7A92477F938B7446B4B8C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_B0E4ABACEBC28339669A38B7446B4154" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_7F5D83149A506297530738B7446B77A3_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_B0E4ABACEBC28339669A38B7446B4154" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_7F5D83149A506297530738B7446B77A3_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_7F5D83149A506297530738B7446B77A3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_B0E4ABACEBC28339669A38B7446B4154" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_7F5D83149A506297530738B7446B77A3" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_8698C22BC98A16F0ED59FEE7A561F66E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_970E726D270C6587B9AAFEE7A56112F0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_8698C22BC98A16F0ED59FEE7A561F66E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_970E726D270C6587B9AAFEE7A56112F0" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_C876589C75277AC5CA3CFEE7A5616E96" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_970E726D270C6587B9AAFEE7A56112F0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_C876589C75277AC5CA3CFEE7A5616E96" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_A8E97F387201196D66D6FEE7A56145BE_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_C876589C75277AC5CA3CFEE7A5616E96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_A8E97F387201196D66D6FEE7A56145BE_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_A8E97F387201196D66D6FEE7A56145BE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_C876589C75277AC5CA3CFEE7A5616E96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_A8E97F387201196D66D6FEE7A56145BE" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfEarnings" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6E9A5954956A2F68256D338E36E3759E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ACFA03CB61A8F6803C85338E36E30C73" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6E9A5954956A2F68256D338E36E3759E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ACFA03CB61A8F6803C85338E36E30C73" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_9496F311F4766CE0E7BF338E36E38D7B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ACFA03CB61A8F6803C85338E36E30C73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_9496F311F4766CE0E7BF338E36E38D7B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_66354A8BCD11E0014F5E338E36E33924_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_9496F311F4766CE0E7BF338E36E38D7B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_66354A8BCD11E0014F5E338E36E33924_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_66354A8BCD11E0014F5E338E36E33924" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_9496F311F4766CE0E7BF338E36E38D7B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_66354A8BCD11E0014F5E338E36E33924" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityAndComprehensiveLossIncome" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquityAndComprehensiveLossIncomeParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/Debt" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1E5FC62177D3A13171B938B743DE93EC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1E5FC62177D3A13171B938B743DE93EC" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_EA32D656505579E6109738B743DE15D6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1E5FC62177D3A13171B938B743DE93EC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_EA32D656505579E6109738B743DE15D6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_DebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_tnc_DebtTypeDomain_C13E4500536C8143BA9538B743DEF0B7_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_EA32D656505579E6109738B743DE15D6" xlink:to="loc_tnc_DebtTypeDomain_C13E4500536C8143BA9538B743DEF0B7_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_DebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_tnc_DebtTypeDomain_C13E4500536C8143BA9538B743DEF0B7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_EA32D656505579E6109738B743DE15D6" xlink:to="loc_tnc_DebtTypeDomain_C13E4500536C8143BA9538B743DEF0B7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember_15D43FD74562CD46DC5C38B743DECF6A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DebtTypeDomain_C13E4500536C8143BA9538B743DEF0B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember_15D43FD74562CD46DC5C38B743DECF6A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_2104B60F2611DBDA396738B743DE7652" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DebtTypeDomain_C13E4500536C8143BA9538B743DEF0B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_2104B60F2611DBDA396738B743DE7652" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember_FF1722A9DBE34277AE2438B743DE54BF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DebtTypeDomain_C13E4500536C8143BA9538B743DEF0B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember_FF1722A9DBE34277AE2438B743DE54BF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_9C8DC772B063D16CE0C138B743DEC342" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DebtTypeDomain_C13E4500536C8143BA9538B743DEF0B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_9C8DC772B063D16CE0C138B743DEC342" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember_028EA0F1AD9A80D188D938B743DE52D7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DebtTypeDomain_C13E4500536C8143BA9538B743DEF0B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember_028EA0F1AD9A80D188D938B743DE52D7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_BB44B7AD232E9BE4406138B743DE2E67" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_BB44B7AD232E9BE4406138B743DE2E67" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent_B0971FF0D3E5EDF8A20E38B743DE825B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent_B0971FF0D3E5EDF8A20E38B743DE825B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_2836AF705855D9E3C28138B743DE8B00" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_2836AF705855D9E3C28138B743DE8B00" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCommittedLinesOfCredit" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCommittedLinesOfCredit_2C875C75476958E2336338B743DE3732" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCommittedLinesOfCredit_2C875C75476958E2336338B743DE3732" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityUncommittedLinesOfCredit" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityUncommittedLinesOfCredit_841B36F87CF1F0EE8CEB38B743DEFD60" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityUncommittedLinesOfCredit_841B36F87CF1F0EE8CEB38B743DEFD60" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_8280465E9362B298092238B743DE683E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_8280465E9362B298092238B743DE683E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure_423E934565D1DC04C4D038B743DEB79D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure_423E934565D1DC04C4D038B743DEB79D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount_156F862E84DC673D6B1A38B743DE0AA2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount_156F862E84DC673D6B1A38B743DE0AA2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityIndebtednessToEbitdaRatio" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityIndebtednessToEbitdaRatio_28B8FFBC19028A01628C38B743DE4143" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityIndebtednessToEbitdaRatio_28B8FFBC19028A01628C38B743DE4143" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityEbitdaToInterestExpenseRatio" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityEbitdaToInterestExpenseRatio_BDCDE1845855EAB259A838B743DEE789" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityEbitdaToInterestExpenseRatio_BDCDE1845855EAB259A838B743DEE789" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumIndebtednessToEbitda" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumIndebtednessToEbitda_84528FED2BA590DF729C38B743DE8E3B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_62CAFAD369646F058B1638B743DE672B" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumIndebtednessToEbitda_84528FED2BA590DF729C38B743DE8E3B" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/DebtLineOfCreditFacilityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_0E6EA67E0050300149AF3839D2B2AECC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_0E6EA67E0050300149AF3839D2B2AECC" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_9E3C7ACA9FA5D143A1A63839D2B2EC40" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_0E6EA67E0050300149AF3839D2B2AECC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_9E3C7ACA9FA5D143A1A63839D2B2EC40" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_B03D8D21053B1B9B64543839D2B22C35_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_9E3C7ACA9FA5D143A1A63839D2B2EC40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_B03D8D21053B1B9B64543839D2B22C35_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_B03D8D21053B1B9B64543839D2B22C35" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_9E3C7ACA9FA5D143A1A63839D2B2EC40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_B03D8D21053B1B9B64543839D2B22C35" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_JpmorganChaseBankNationalAssociationMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_JpmorganChaseBankNationalAssociationMember_9893C19C409A9C9A78303839D2B2451B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_B03D8D21053B1B9B64543839D2B22C35" xlink:to="loc_tnc_JpmorganChaseBankNationalAssociationMember_9893C19C409A9C9A78303839D2B2451B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_AmendmentNo1To2011CreditAgreementEffectiveApril252013Member" xlink:label="loc_tnc_AmendmentNo1To2011CreditAgreementEffectiveApril252013Member_B98B2806DF6FD20E49BE3839D2B2B904" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_B03D8D21053B1B9B64543839D2B22C35" xlink:to="loc_tnc_AmendmentNo1To2011CreditAgreementEffectiveApril252013Member_B98B2806DF6FD20E49BE3839D2B2B904" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_AmendedPrudentialInvestmentManagementMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_AmendedPrudentialInvestmentManagementMember_591553B12FFB9EA08D9E3839D2B24746" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_B03D8D21053B1B9B64543839D2B22C35" xlink:to="loc_tnc_AmendedPrudentialInvestmentManagementMember_591553B12FFB9EA08D9E3839D2B24746" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_SeriesNotesMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_SeriesNotesMember_48D9CEC167C7FAE8E07E3839D2B2D597" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_AmendedPrudentialInvestmentManagementMember_591553B12FFB9EA08D9E3839D2B24746" xlink:to="loc_tnc_SeriesNotesMember_48D9CEC167C7FAE8E07E3839D2B2D597" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_SeriesBNotesMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_SeriesBNotesMember_8299E622F4B85749DC4C3839D2B2003A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_AmendedPrudentialInvestmentManagementMember_591553B12FFB9EA08D9E3839D2B24746" xlink:to="loc_tnc_SeriesBNotesMember_8299E622F4B85749DC4C3839D2B2003A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_RoyalBankOfScotlandNvMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_RoyalBankOfScotlandNvMember_FADDA3160B25B4584ADF3839D2B26250" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_B03D8D21053B1B9B64543839D2B22C35" xlink:to="loc_tnc_RoyalBankOfScotlandNvMember_FADDA3160B25B4584ADF3839D2B26250" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_HsbcBankChinaCompanyLimitedShanghaiBranchMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_HsbcBankChinaCompanyLimitedShanghaiBranchMember_4D87A5CB72388523D4463839D2B2E9F1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_B03D8D21053B1B9B64543839D2B22C35" xlink:to="loc_tnc_HsbcBankChinaCompanyLimitedShanghaiBranchMember_4D87A5CB72388523D4463839D2B2E9F1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_06B09B4422BD6DCDBCA13839D2B2A40D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_06B09B4422BD6DCDBCA13839D2B2A40D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAvailable" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAvailable_85A78CADF11A5C886D613839D2B25F6F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAvailable_85A78CADF11A5C886D613839D2B25F6F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityWithAdditionalBorrowing" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityWithAdditionalBorrowing_BD91209B434327CC615D3839D2B27AFD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityWithAdditionalBorrowing_BD91209B434327CC615D3839D2B27AFD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAmountOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAmountOutstanding_B64D617393A3EBB794EC3839D2B2CFC8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAmountOutstanding_B64D617393A3EBB794EC3839D2B2CFC8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_7094BF0ABBA82895EB873839D2B296DF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_7094BF0ABBA82895EB873839D2B296DF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_1DA24A367F2D527673A73839D2B22310" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_1DA24A367F2D527673A73839D2B22310" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_E0A855D7C36A0A91DB0C3839D2B22AF3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_E0A855D7C36A0A91DB0C3839D2B22AF3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPaymentTerms" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPaymentTerms_692AC020B3FF144576713839D2B2B714" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPaymentTerms_692AC020B3FF144576713839D2B2B714" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRangeStart1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRangeStart1_C363AD61493CDCAA58EB3839D2B269B9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRangeStart1_C363AD61493CDCAA58EB3839D2B269B9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRangeEnd1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRangeEnd1_04CFB84962F4433204493839D2B2FDF2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRangeEnd1_04CFB84962F4433204493839D2B2FDF2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract" xlink:label="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1_C9F7947EBA37CC2C84F63839D2B27E54" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1_C9F7947EBA37CC2C84F63839D2B27E54" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCapacityAvailableForForeignSubsidiaries" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCapacityAvailableForForeignSubsidiaries_3117221FDB5425E1F3B83839D2B2653E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCapacityAvailableForForeignSubsidiaries_3117221FDB5425E1F3B83839D2B2653E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMinimumCommitmentFeePercentage" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMinimumCommitmentFeePercentage_AEA2B5770084288B06C83839D2B2D778" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMinimumCommitmentFeePercentage_AEA2B5770084288B06C83839D2B2D778" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumCommitmentFeePercentage" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumCommitmentFeePercentage_E2665564F45C9849056A3839D2B2F793" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumCommitmentFeePercentage_E2665564F45C9849056A3839D2B2F793" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToFederalFundsRate" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToFederalFundsRate_E1F524F92F968941E9943839D2B254AD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToFederalFundsRate_E1F524F92F968941E9943839D2B254AD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToLiborRate" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToLiborRate_09F9C1DAA068448F7D8F3839D2B278C9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToLiborRate_09F9C1DAA068448F7D8F3839D2B278C9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMinimumInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToLiborRate" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMinimumInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToLiborRate_C8EC4B6E5394053D677F3839D2B2CE7F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMinimumInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToLiborRate_C8EC4B6E5394053D677F3839D2B2CE7F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToLiborRate" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToLiborRate_17AA39C00A676DFEF8B83839D2B2D6B1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumInterestRateMarginSpreadAddedToLiborRate_17AA39C00A676DFEF8B83839D2B2D6B1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityPercentageCollateralInStocks" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityPercentageCollateralInStocks_5A09ADA1EDC76F2FE8353839D2B2C8B7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityPercentageCollateralInStocks_5A09ADA1EDC76F2FE8353839D2B2C8B7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumIndebtednessToEbitda" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumIndebtednessToEbitda_1335FD2815877246012C3839D2B224D2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumIndebtednessToEbitda_1335FD2815877246012C3839D2B224D2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMinimumEbitdaToInterestExpense" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMinimumEbitdaToInterestExpense_D34D3EA52E163FBA78703839D2B27C07" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMinimumEbitdaToInterestExpense_D34D3EA52E163FBA78703839D2B27C07" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumLeverageAfterPayingDividendsOrRepuchasingStock" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumLeverageAfterPayingDividendsOrRepuchasingStock_E2601FD894B88E35F5D83839D2B2435C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumLeverageAfterPayingDividendsOrRepuchasingStock_E2601FD894B88E35F5D83839D2B2435C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityRestrictionOnDividendsAndRepurchasesOfCommonStockMinimum" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityRestrictionOnDividendsAndRepurchasesOfCommonStockMinimum_42078846C97125F6D2273839D2B260B4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityRestrictionOnDividendsAndRepurchasesOfCommonStockMinimum_42078846C97125F6D2273839D2B260B4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityRestrictionOnDividendsAndRepurchasesOfCommonStockMaximum" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityRestrictionOnDividendsAndRepurchasesOfCommonStockMaximum_1D39B65007F1C4AA46F43839D2B2C808" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityRestrictionOnDividendsAndRepurchasesOfCommonStockMaximum_1D39B65007F1C4AA46F43839D2B2C808" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumLeverageAfterAcquisitions" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumLeverageAfterAcquisitions_2F13F774C5E643CFF4523839D2B2B5F2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="15" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumLeverageAfterAcquisitions_2F13F774C5E643CFF4523839D2B2B5F2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumAcquisitionAmountWithHighLeverage" xlink:label="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumAcquisitionAmountWithHighLeverage_86FE9A0E855DCDA9DB6B3839D2B29080" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="16" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_CreditFacilitiesAbstract_FD13CF20A783B21BE7CF3839D2B21CFE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantRestrictionMaximumAcquisitionAmountWithHighLeverage_86FE9A0E855DCDA9DB6B3839D2B29080" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_OriginalDebtAmountOwedToPreviousOwnersOfAcquiredBusiness" xlink:label="loc_tnc_OriginalDebtAmountOwedToPreviousOwnersOfAcquiredBusiness_E7601B730A1837C832573839D2B24BD6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_tnc_OriginalDebtAmountOwedToPreviousOwnersOfAcquiredBusiness_E7601B730A1837C832573839D2B24BD6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotesPayable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayable_96D6C4E2E0DB78E485A03839D2B2EB46" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B40D04530B2BDDE7203D3839D2B2D2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayable_96D6C4E2E0DB78E485A03839D2B2EB46" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/DebtTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/DivestituresDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_DivestituresLineItems" xlink:label="loc_tnc_DivestituresLineItems_EEF585421561E94E965D385E46333509" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_DivestituresTable" xlink:label="loc_tnc_DivestituresTable_EC1D8DD3228D8B7B7040385E4633E2CD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DivestituresLineItems_EEF585421561E94E965D385E46333509" xlink:to="loc_tnc_DivestituresTable_EC1D8DD3228D8B7B7040385E4633E2CD" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_BusinessesDivestedAxis" xlink:label="loc_tnc_BusinessesDivestedAxis_C0B83199D4DCE63736AB385E463399FE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DivestituresTable_EC1D8DD3228D8B7B7040385E4633E2CD" xlink:to="loc_tnc_BusinessesDivestedAxis_C0B83199D4DCE63736AB385E463399FE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_BusinessesDivestedDomain" xlink:label="loc_tnc_BusinessesDivestedDomain_65E3FAFDB11B38768A93385E4633D0C9_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_tnc_BusinessesDivestedAxis_C0B83199D4DCE63736AB385E463399FE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_BusinessesDivestedDomain_65E3FAFDB11B38768A93385E4633D0C9_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_BusinessesDivestedDomain" xlink:label="loc_tnc_BusinessesDivestedDomain_65E3FAFDB11B38768A93385E4633D0C9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_tnc_BusinessesDivestedAxis_C0B83199D4DCE63736AB385E463399FE" xlink:to="loc_tnc_BusinessesDivestedDomain_65E3FAFDB11B38768A93385E4633D0C9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_TennantCeeGmbhAndOooTennantMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_TennantCeeGmbhAndOooTennantMember_6C975B65B887B4C738E4385E46337A77" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_BusinessesDivestedDomain_65E3FAFDB11B38768A93385E4633D0C9" xlink:to="loc_tnc_TennantCeeGmbhAndOooTennantMember_6C975B65B887B4C738E4385E46337A77" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_Businessdivestitureeffectivedateofdivestment" xlink:label="loc_tnc_Businessdivestitureeffectivedateofdivestment_1B6A66F5B3A51343CFDF385E463444D8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DivestituresLineItems_EEF585421561E94E965D385E46333509" xlink:to="loc_tnc_Businessdivestitureeffectivedateofdivestment_1B6A66F5B3A51343CFDF385E463444D8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_Businessdivestituressellingpriceofdivestedentity" xlink:label="loc_tnc_Businessdivestituressellingpriceofdivestedentity_F939D306077E06D24EF3385E4634CCE2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DivestituresLineItems_EEF585421561E94E965D385E46333509" xlink:to="loc_tnc_Businessdivestituressellingpriceofdivestedentity_F939D306077E06D24EF3385E4634CCE2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_Paymentsrecievedfromdivestedbusinessesgross" xlink:label="loc_tnc_Paymentsrecievedfromdivestedbusinessesgross_C2A63D33B97BB890C2C8385E4634E0CD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DivestituresLineItems_EEF585421561E94E965D385E46333509" xlink:to="loc_tnc_Paymentsrecievedfromdivestedbusinessesgross_C2A63D33B97BB890C2C8385E4634E0CD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_Amountofinstallmentpaymentstobereceivedquarterly2013" xlink:label="loc_tnc_Amountofinstallmentpaymentstobereceivedquarterly2013_71E485A08BF8E8D130DE385E4634F310" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DivestituresLineItems_EEF585421561E94E965D385E46333509" xlink:to="loc_tnc_Amountofinstallmentpaymentstobereceivedquarterly2013_71E485A08BF8E8D130DE385E4634F310" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_TotalAmountRemainingToBeReceivedQuarterlyDuring2013" xlink:label="loc_tnc_TotalAmountRemainingToBeReceivedQuarterlyDuring2013_23B6359975367EA39EE2385E4634DA6A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DivestituresLineItems_EEF585421561E94E965D385E46333509" xlink:to="loc_tnc_TotalAmountRemainingToBeReceivedQuarterlyDuring2013_23B6359975367EA39EE2385E4634DA6A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_Amountofinstallmentpaymentstobereceivedonfirstsecondandthirdanniversarydates" xlink:label="loc_tnc_Amountofinstallmentpaymentstobereceivedonfirstsecondandthirdanniversarydates_A772FA724228C9878B0C385E4634F6D6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DivestituresLineItems_EEF585421561E94E965D385E46333509" xlink:to="loc_tnc_Amountofinstallmentpaymentstobereceivedonfirstsecondandthirdanniversarydates_A772FA724228C9878B0C385E4634F6D6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal_750BA0A682AA15E36367385E463573EA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DivestituresLineItems_EEF585421561E94E965D385E46333509" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal_750BA0A682AA15E36367385E463573EA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_TotalAmountOfQuarterlyInstallmentPaymentsReceived" xlink:label="loc_tnc_TotalAmountOfQuarterlyInstallmentPaymentsReceived_3F2E89885069B3A419D9385E463AAE3C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DivestituresLineItems_EEF585421561E94E965D385E46333509" xlink:to="loc_tnc_TotalAmountOfQuarterlyInstallmentPaymentsReceived_3F2E89885069B3A419D9385E463AAE3C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract" xlink:label="loc_tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract_63D702A3AB9DCF8AF3E3385E463A055A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_DivestituresLineItems_EEF585421561E94E965D385E46333509" xlink:to="loc_tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract_63D702A3AB9DCF8AF3E3385E463A055A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_AccountsReceivable" xlink:label="loc_tnc_AccountsReceivable_537D91BAE97248F894F9385E463A3C46" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract_63D702A3AB9DCF8AF3E3385E463A055A" xlink:to="loc_tnc_AccountsReceivable_537D91BAE97248F894F9385E463A3C46" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_Inventory" xlink:label="loc_tnc_Inventory_12E875E8DDD3E506F2AF385E463BB524" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract_63D702A3AB9DCF8AF3E3385E463A055A" xlink:to="loc_tnc_Inventory_12E875E8DDD3E506F2AF385E463BB524" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_OtherCurrentAssets" xlink:label="loc_tnc_OtherCurrentAssets_9915019EAB635353ABBC385E463BA4F0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract_63D702A3AB9DCF8AF3E3385E463A055A" xlink:to="loc_tnc_OtherCurrentAssets_9915019EAB635353ABBC385E463BA4F0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_CurrentAssets" xlink:label="loc_tnc_CurrentAssets_19936023D408E3C458A1385E463BCBF4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract_63D702A3AB9DCF8AF3E3385E463A055A" xlink:to="loc_tnc_CurrentAssets_19936023D408E3C458A1385E463BCBF4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_PropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:label="loc_tnc_PropertyPlantAndEquipment_FFE4F1263CB96AAA5D10385E463BE739" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract_63D702A3AB9DCF8AF3E3385E463A055A" xlink:to="loc_tnc_PropertyPlantAndEquipment_FFE4F1263CB96AAA5D10385E463BE739" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_TotalAssetsDivested" xlink:label="loc_tnc_TotalAssetsDivested_1772B4414FF98EC8080F385E463B00D5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract_63D702A3AB9DCF8AF3E3385E463A055A" xlink:to="loc_tnc_TotalAssetsDivested_1772B4414FF98EC8080F385E463B00D5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_CurrentLiabilities" xlink:label="loc_tnc_CurrentLiabilities_874A5CFCE8B2A47CB9B1385E463B5CD5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract_63D702A3AB9DCF8AF3E3385E463A055A" xlink:to="loc_tnc_CurrentLiabilities_874A5CFCE8B2A47CB9B1385E463B5CD5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_TotalLiabilitiesDivested" xlink:label="loc_tnc_TotalLiabilitiesDivested_3AC6E7C852F7A5409EC6385E463BB32F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract_63D702A3AB9DCF8AF3E3385E463A055A" xlink:to="loc_tnc_TotalLiabilitiesDivested_3AC6E7C852F7A5409EC6385E463BB32F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_NetAssetsDivested" xlink:label="loc_tnc_NetAssetsDivested_EFC4E089230A30225A44385E463C852E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_tnc_AssetsAndLiabilitiesDivestedAbstract_63D702A3AB9DCF8AF3E3385E463A055A" xlink:to="loc_tnc_NetAssetsDivested_EFC4E089230A30225A44385E463C852E" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_789E06CEFC9BD654FF9D3DBF417BF260" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_CAC87FAEA6296AA1A2693DBF417BE447" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_789E06CEFC9BD654FF9D3DBF417BF260" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_CAC87FAEA6296AA1A2693DBF417BE447" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_800F311601BDF988B2CF3DBF417BA82B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_CAC87FAEA6296AA1A2693DBF417BE447" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_800F311601BDF988B2CF3DBF417BA82B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6B48AAF292FB92A3BED03DBF417B82A9_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_800F311601BDF988B2CF3DBF417BA82B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6B48AAF292FB92A3BED03DBF417B82A9_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6B48AAF292FB92A3BED03DBF417B82A9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_800F311601BDF988B2CF3DBF417BA82B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6B48AAF292FB92A3BED03DBF417B82A9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_B1F155E3DB5101F09D1F3DBF417BD34E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6B48AAF292FB92A3BED03DBF417B82A9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_B1F155E3DB5101F09D1F3DBF417BD34E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_E2FDAB1593BF009850303DBF417BEE76" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6B48AAF292FB92A3BED03DBF417B82A9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_E2FDAB1593BF009850303DBF417BEE76" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_B27F0F43B8CBA902B3A93DBF417B09B9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6B48AAF292FB92A3BED03DBF417B82A9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_B27F0F43B8CBA902B3A93DBF417B09B9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_76CCC100AABA3C84B84E3DBF417BF7F3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6B48AAF292FB92A3BED03DBF417B82A9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_76CCC100AABA3C84B84E3DBF417BF7F3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_563004F957F49B434DCF3DBF417B9D3E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_789E06CEFC9BD654FF9D3DBF417BF260" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_563004F957F49B434DCF3DBF417B9D3E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractAssetFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractAssetFairValueDisclosure_4A340847DA31B7C47D333DBF417BA467" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_563004F957F49B434DCF3DBF417B9D3E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractAssetFairValueDisclosure_4A340847DA31B7C47D333DBF417BA467" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_B5C34CF3AD43063C7B613DBF417BE376" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_563004F957F49B434DCF3DBF417B9D3E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_B5C34CF3AD43063C7B613DBF417BE376" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_80E80CE945A0123BA9C83DBF417BE128" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_789E06CEFC9BD654FF9D3DBF417BF260" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_80E80CE945A0123BA9C83DBF417BE128" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractsLiabilityFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractsLiabilityFairValueDisclosure_98D26457EB79AECDADF73DBF417B26AE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_80E80CE945A0123BA9C83DBF417BE128" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyContractsLiabilityFairValueDisclosure_98D26457EB79AECDADF73DBF417B26AE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_21DB97FC0BF1A65F4AED3DBF417B20A7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_80E80CE945A0123BA9C83DBF417BE128" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_21DB97FC0BF1A65F4AED3DBF417B20A7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet_D4830162D9C1264D3B503DBF417B3A68" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_789E06CEFC9BD654FF9D3DBF417BF260" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet_D4830162D9C1264D3B503DBF417B3A68" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivatives" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivatives_3C4F5686C6E803EBC9913DBF417B6A05" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_789E06CEFC9BD654FF9D3DBF417BF260" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotionalAmountOfForeignCurrencyDerivatives_3C4F5686C6E803EBC9913DBF417B6A05" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_D981B04E87D2F1B2E0AC37B54C75F490" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_4E5BC3900F1F419115EE37B54C75FAAB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_D981B04E87D2F1B2E0AC37B54C75F490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_4E5BC3900F1F419115EE37B54C75FAAB" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_5C35D3B7CBE9B837B35937B54C75E92B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_4E5BC3900F1F419115EE37B54C75FAAB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_5C35D3B7CBE9B837B35937B54C75E92B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_91E4EB5226529A84089837B54C754246_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_5C35D3B7CBE9B837B35937B54C75E92B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_91E4EB5226529A84089837B54C754246_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_91E4EB5226529A84089837B54C754246" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_5C35D3B7CBE9B837B35937B54C75E92B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_91E4EB5226529A84089837B54C754246" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_CustomerListsAndServiceContractsMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_CustomerListsAndServiceContractsMember_68889042FB30B4896BC637B54C75F0AB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_91E4EB5226529A84089837B54C754246" xlink:to="loc_tnc_CustomerListsAndServiceContractsMember_68889042FB30B4896BC637B54C75F0AB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_D20F6399F51A1B7DAB0837B54C751797" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_91E4EB5226529A84089837B54C754246" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_D20F6399F51A1B7DAB0837B54C751797" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PatentedTechnologyMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PatentedTechnologyMember_AB5F61B0D62DB1225D5937B54C75B75C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_91E4EB5226529A84089837B54C754246" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PatentedTechnologyMember_AB5F61B0D62DB1225D5937B54C75B75C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_729D17449D4B174B1C6C37B54C75AD61" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_D981B04E87D2F1B2E0AC37B54C75F490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_729D17449D4B174B1C6C37B54C75AD61" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_189349715C09809A3F5E37B54C75CE93" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_D981B04E87D2F1B2E0AC37B54C75F490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_189349715C09809A3F5E37B54C75CE93" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_9D9970C7DEADB574FE9437B54C7549FC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_D981B04E87D2F1B2E0AC37B54C75F490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_9D9970C7DEADB574FE9437B54C7549FC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_55DEB863AFC33330FB9E37B54C754A2C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_D981B04E87D2F1B2E0AC37B54C75F490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_55DEB863AFC33330FB9E37B54C754A2C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_94BD5B604393890A0A3237B54C757E32" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_D981B04E87D2F1B2E0AC37B54C75F490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_94BD5B604393890A0A3237B54C757E32" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/Inventories" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/InventoriesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/InventoriesTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ManagementActions" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ManagementActionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_D3294264731D7B4AC130382B40B2FA17" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_0268B89451B866806589382B40B2089B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_D3294264731D7B4AC130382B40B2FA17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_0268B89451B866806589382B40B2089B" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_4BE2B90C45F533D7C611382B40B26ABB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_0268B89451B866806589382B40B2089B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_4BE2B90C45F533D7C611382B40B26ABB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_14A704001B1AA91D9564382B40B23969_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_4BE2B90C45F533D7C611382B40B26ABB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_14A704001B1AA91D9564382B40B23969_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_14A704001B1AA91D9564382B40B23969" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_4BE2B90C45F533D7C611382B40B26ABB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_14A704001B1AA91D9564382B40B23969" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_SeverenceAndRelatedCosts2012ActionMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_SeverenceAndRelatedCosts2012ActionMember_19BDEA99007CF910C29A382B40B2D81D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_14A704001B1AA91D9564382B40B23969" xlink:to="loc_tnc_SeverenceAndRelatedCosts2012ActionMember_19BDEA99007CF910C29A382B40B2D81D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_SeveranceEarlyRetirementAndRelatedCostsMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_SeveranceEarlyRetirementAndRelatedCostsMember_861D0B1E0E232B883F50382B40B28071" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_14A704001B1AA91D9564382B40B23969" xlink:to="loc_tnc_SeveranceEarlyRetirementAndRelatedCostsMember_861D0B1E0E232B883F50382B40B28071" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_2C51D65B9B558097D12A382B40B22002" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_D3294264731D7B4AC130382B40B2FA17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_2C51D65B9B558097D12A382B40B22002" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_86FC0F6C8E823C164454382B40B2DEC3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_2C51D65B9B558097D12A382B40B22002" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_86FC0F6C8E823C164454382B40B2DEC3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_153A9FDF73ACF53E1FED382B40B2C0A2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_2C51D65B9B558097D12A382B40B22002" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_153A9FDF73ACF53E1FED382B40B2C0A2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCash" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCash_CBF9D8242FD1B84EC28C382B40B262C0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_2C51D65B9B558097D12A382B40B22002" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCash_CBF9D8242FD1B84EC28C382B40B262C0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment_CFBB40327F9D38E37AE4382B40B2EAFF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_2C51D65B9B558097D12A382B40B22002" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment_CFBB40327F9D38E37AE4382B40B2EAFF" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ManagementActionsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/NewlyAdoptedAccountingPronouncements" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_1B93CDAC2D360F52E2ED37A9511EA044" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_BD83D32FE31C386D973037A9511EF102" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_1B93CDAC2D360F52E2ED37A9511EA044" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_BD83D32FE31C386D973037A9511EF102" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3249147DC736A02FD6B637A9511E1260" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_BD83D32FE31C386D973037A9511EF102" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3249147DC736A02FD6B637A9511E1260" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_869A02A5A9F440C95A2637A9511E64F2_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3249147DC736A02FD6B637A9511E1260" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_869A02A5A9F440C95A2637A9511E64F2_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_869A02A5A9F440C95A2637A9511E64F2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3249147DC736A02FD6B637A9511E1260" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_869A02A5A9F440C95A2637A9511E64F2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_WaterStarIncMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_WaterStarIncMember_AF75CEA0E99700ECE74337A9511EB8A0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_869A02A5A9F440C95A2637A9511E64F2" xlink:to="loc_tnc_WaterStarIncMember_AF75CEA0E99700ECE74337A9511EB8A0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_AmountOfTotalInstallmentPayments" xlink:label="loc_tnc_AmountOfTotalInstallmentPayments_C42A18AA087FF38A5C8E37A9511E2409" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_1B93CDAC2D360F52E2ED37A9511EA044" xlink:to="loc_tnc_AmountOfTotalInstallmentPayments_C42A18AA087FF38A5C8E37A9511E2409" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/RetirementBenefitPlans" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/RetirementBenefitPlansDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTableTextBlockLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTableTextBlockLineItems_3E050A2D273CD1A4410038B74381E051" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_D87A3916E40E326B3BFC38B743818C58" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTableTextBlockLineItems_3E050A2D273CD1A4410038B74381E051" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_D87A3916E40E326B3BFC38B743818C58" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_4BDF4A32FD82335BBF5938B7438169EB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_D87A3916E40E326B3BFC38B743818C58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_4BDF4A32FD82335BBF5938B7438169EB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDomain_23A05C78C0571952452638B74381E279_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_4BDF4A32FD82335BBF5938B7438169EB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDomain_23A05C78C0571952452638B74381E279_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDomain_23A05C78C0571952452638B74381E279" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis_4BDF4A32FD82335BBF5938B7438169EB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDomain_23A05C78C0571952452638B74381E279" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember_519C0E2C9A926A92C67B38B74381FE55" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDomain_23A05C78C0571952452638B74381E279" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember_519C0E2C9A926A92C67B38B74381FE55" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_2EB6DE833537BE7A433338B74381998E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDomain_23A05C78C0571952452638B74381E279" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_2EB6DE833537BE7A433338B74381998E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_F85E7C83756E500E8CF338B743818B0A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDomain_23A05C78C0571952452638B74381E279" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_F85E7C83756E500E8CF338B743818B0A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_877E7F3E3C0C1D7D87A038B7438169DD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDomain_23A05C78C0571952452638B74381E279" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_877E7F3E3C0C1D7D87A038B7438169DD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_32757004C7D915DCD67138B74381537F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTableTextBlockLineItems_3E050A2D273CD1A4410038B74381E051" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_32757004C7D915DCD67138B74381537F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_648B3A091F288BD96B0738B743817EC8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_32757004C7D915DCD67138B74381537F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_648B3A091F288BD96B0738B743817EC8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_13F3596DB3B8FEEB892638B743817A5E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_32757004C7D915DCD67138B74381537F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_13F3596DB3B8FEEB892638B743817A5E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_10A04D13DE0232168E7A38B7438124F6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_32757004C7D915DCD67138B74381537F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_10A04D13DE0232168E7A38B7438124F6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_E37806006A7FBC34589A38B743812634" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_32757004C7D915DCD67138B74381537F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_E37806006A7FBC34589A38B743812634" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_E381B11FB18A1C43054238B74381B616" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_32757004C7D915DCD67138B74381537F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_E381B11FB18A1C43054238B74381B616" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesNetPeriodicBenefitCost" xlink:label="loc_tnc_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesNetPeriodicBenefitCost_4FE8866FD435C7CB074138B74381E4C3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_32757004C7D915DCD67138B74381537F" xlink:to="loc_tnc_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesNetPeriodicBenefitCost_4FE8866FD435C7CB074138B74381E4C3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_7C268EEB9AA43798AC8238B74381BA04" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_32757004C7D915DCD67138B74381537F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_7C268EEB9AA43798AC8238B74381BA04" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer_9C8F940239B416DB842038B74381FFA7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTableTextBlockLineItems_3E050A2D273CD1A4410038B74381E051" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer_9C8F940239B416DB842038B74381FFA7" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/RetirementBenefitPlansTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/SegmentReporting" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_B8AD3B49CF6E09635EC638B743613198" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_5818ABF6D51113936A6C38B7436121A3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_B8AD3B49CF6E09635EC638B743613198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_5818ABF6D51113936A6C38B7436121A3" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_D4F91E56279650648D1B38B74361CE90" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_5818ABF6D51113936A6C38B7436121A3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_D4F91E56279650648D1B38B74361CE90" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_A6EB458903757C89948638B74361F9FC_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_D4F91E56279650648D1B38B74361CE90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_A6EB458903757C89948638B74361F9FC_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_A6EB458903757C89948638B74361F9FC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_D4F91E56279650648D1B38B74361CE90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_A6EB458903757C89948638B74361F9FC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_AmericasMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_AmericasMember_2B2FA8E6C9177DA4EB3A38B7436112DD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_A6EB458903757C89948638B74361F9FC" xlink:to="loc_tnc_AmericasMember_2B2FA8E6C9177DA4EB3A38B7436112DD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_EuropeMiddleEastAfricaMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_EuropeMiddleEastAfricaMember_DFED81B659296B0CB41438B74361D76A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_A6EB458903757C89948638B74361F9FC" xlink:to="loc_tnc_EuropeMiddleEastAfricaMember_DFED81B659296B0CB41438B74361D76A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tnc-20130331.xsd#tnc_AsiaPacificMember" xlink:label="loc_tnc_AsiaPacificMember_F713574B945C6074D00338B7436146BB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_A6EB458903757C89948638B74361F9FC" xlink:to="loc_tnc_AsiaPacificMember_F713574B945C6074D00338B7436146BB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet_2D19A6DE21FFAC52423B38B74361F703" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_B8AD3B49CF6E09635EC638B743613198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet_2D19A6DE21FFAC52423B38B74361F703" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/SegmentReportingTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7D82B399058EB0714F483816DD8438AF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_42732DCA13EC5698FC293816DD84AE38" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7D82B399058EB0714F483816DD8438AF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_42732DCA13EC5698FC293816DD84AE38" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_1756D9B690694FF5BFD53816DD844B6C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_42732DCA13EC5698FC293816DD84AE38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_1756D9B690694FF5BFD53816DD844B6C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_FE5A10C682A406DFAC8A3816DD84F6FF_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_1756D9B690694FF5BFD53816DD844B6C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_FE5A10C682A406DFAC8A3816DD84F6FF_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_FE5A10C682A406DFAC8A3816DD84F6FF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_1756D9B690694FF5BFD53816DD844B6C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_FE5A10C682A406DFAC8A3816DD84F6FF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_9B5C124BABE3D0F9AFCC3816DD84B017" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_FE5A10C682A406DFAC8A3816DD84F6FF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_9B5C124BABE3D0F9AFCC3816DD84B017" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_62DAA0EC2D46ABE629E93816DD84FDCC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7D82B399058EB0714F483816DD8438AF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_62DAA0EC2D46ABE629E93816DD84FDCC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_5E496563B2B7944D3A1A3816DD849695" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7D82B399058EB0714F483816DD8438AF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_5E496563B2B7944D3A1A3816DD849695" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_90A519E554EC747C1FEA3816DD84AC12" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7D82B399058EB0714F483816DD8438AF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_90A519E554EC747C1FEA3816DD84AC12" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_86F2C4AF18A50BD363EB3816DD845EC3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_7D82B399058EB0714F483816DD8438AF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_86F2C4AF18A50BD363EB3816DD845EC3" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/Warranty" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/WarrantyDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tennantco.com/role/WarrantyTables" xlink:type="extended" />
</linkbase>
