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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2022 Workiva-->
<!--r:0e97d25b-74d3-48d9-b815-eadc3b488f40,g:fa75891f-f49e-4d0e-b590-f79fb820073c-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/DocumentandEntityInformationDocument" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#DocumentandEntityInformationDocument"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/DocumentandEntityInformationDocument" xlink:type="extended" id="i129f7b03c31544d0b9c88814905baa62_DocumentandEntityInformationDocument">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_2e3bdcd6-0661-41e7-8b97-45be81a73061" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_2e3bdcd6-0661-41e7-8b97-45be81a73061" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_eae3dbdc-4b2a-4e3c-a213-cd2ba2f19eb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_eae3dbdc-4b2a-4e3c-a213-cd2ba2f19eb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_6283fbb1-15c7-40da-a1d3-a7a896cdcbf7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_6283fbb1-15c7-40da-a1d3-a7a896cdcbf7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_f1481210-87d1-45b9-8c33-67f4fd72a6cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_f1481210-87d1-45b9-8c33-67f4fd72a6cd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_29e00f0d-572d-4daf-8e67-0ec5adc83be3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_29e00f0d-572d-4daf-8e67-0ec5adc83be3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_ffcfffce-5f7b-41d7-b304-0b7a0735c9b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_ffcfffce-5f7b-41d7-b304-0b7a0735c9b2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_f5c9e07d-9588-42b6-8d28-daa9a3f10fe2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_f5c9e07d-9588-42b6-8d28-daa9a3f10fe2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_48e1a650-af4a-47da-8525-3fac021f2815" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_48e1a650-af4a-47da-8525-3fac021f2815" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_d94a3e43-a3f0-4d6c-90e7-0562431ae412" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_d94a3e43-a3f0-4d6c-90e7-0562431ae412" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_45516510-8608-40c4-b2fa-e0f22eba0c2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_45516510-8608-40c4-b2fa-e0f22eba0c2c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_dc8fc276-c362-4d36-a549-152df9d40833" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_dc8fc276-c362-4d36-a549-152df9d40833" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_1b92ec34-deac-407d-bc00-bed2fe8d1079" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_1b92ec34-deac-407d-bc00-bed2fe8d1079" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_5f74d867-5f43-4b54-8e3c-0093fde03047" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_5f74d867-5f43-4b54-8e3c-0093fde03047" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_b407dda9-5d8a-4b31-ba0b-d0561365b04c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_b407dda9-5d8a-4b31-ba0b-d0561365b04c" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_f3242a83-0b7b-4fdd-a2a4-7b16675a03a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_f3242a83-0b7b-4fdd-a2a4-7b16675a03a6" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_a97688e8-8e8a-4127-9656-c3fb4679fac6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_a97688e8-8e8a-4127-9656-c3fb4679fac6" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_eca03fe2-a6f9-4ea4-b165-729a5e140575" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_eca03fe2-a6f9-4ea4-b165-729a5e140575" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_9889d353-19cf-4b69-98db-a465d1f5bffb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_9889d353-19cf-4b69-98db-a465d1f5bffb" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_8fd24e79-4be8-46e9-b9f0-289011655d21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_8fd24e79-4be8-46e9-b9f0-289011655d21" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_671c7632-594d-450c-835c-d21ebad7bfb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_671c7632-594d-450c-835c-d21ebad7bfb4" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_d8af1905-33e5-4849-855e-f1c0f71df3aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_d8af1905-33e5-4849-855e-f1c0f71df3aa" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_758fd99c-328a-4e71-a9bf-81569516d9ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_758fd99c-328a-4e71-a9bf-81569516d9ce" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_517f5f6b-7203-4a1e-8fb8-8837b6f8b72c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_517f5f6b-7203-4a1e-8fb8-8837b6f8b72c" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_08287663-01a8-4e09-b508-4453c6b7b8c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_08287663-01a8-4e09-b508-4453c6b7b8c9" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_f51b9aca-000f-422a-958e-a45a9304b3be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_f51b9aca-000f-422a-958e-a45a9304b3be" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_369075e6-de73-4b5c-a393-c51e62fe8b0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_369075e6-de73-4b5c-a393-c51e62fe8b0e" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_42be89ef-7da0-427c-954d-39f62c53b2ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_42be89ef-7da0-427c-954d-39f62c53b2ed" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_abc0ee11-5b39-438e-87ac-50125e7ca61e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_abc0ee11-5b39-438e-87ac-50125e7ca61e" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_cba7c564-6d3f-44c8-8f5f-a85032c42cc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_cba7c564-6d3f-44c8-8f5f-a85032c42cc2" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_a78a23e4-5f31-4565-a8e3-187c4c05fb4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_693b8d1b-0f4d-4ce7-bce6-00451795978f" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_a78a23e4-5f31-4565-a8e3-187c4c05fb4c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationDocumentAxis_a4535ea4-62c5-4d60-9315-c8def221844a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationDocumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_a78a23e4-5f31-4565-a8e3-187c4c05fb4c" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentInformationDocumentAxis_a4535ea4-62c5-4d60-9315-c8def221844a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentDomain_a4535ea4-62c5-4d60-9315-c8def221844a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_DocumentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationDocumentAxis_a4535ea4-62c5-4d60-9315-c8def221844a" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentDomain_a4535ea4-62c5-4d60-9315-c8def221844a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentDomain_7099d383-df6c-4777-ac8e-46c8254d89f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_DocumentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationDocumentAxis_a4535ea4-62c5-4d60-9315-c8def221844a" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentDomain_7099d383-df6c-4777-ac8e-46c8254d89f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementofEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementofEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementofEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="ifc15c4a67ca944cbb890b0a914650751_ConsolidatedStatementofEquity">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fbf8027d-0789-4a6a-87cb-af7a168d8e53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_f312429a-7dcf-4256-a2de-d9cebc0eaff8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fbf8027d-0789-4a6a-87cb-af7a168d8e53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_f312429a-7dcf-4256-a2de-d9cebc0eaff8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_7307427b-37f2-403e-bb38-35daca3a86ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_f312429a-7dcf-4256-a2de-d9cebc0eaff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_7307427b-37f2-403e-bb38-35daca3a86ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_a2bb4712-ba27-4dd5-b67a-3b1548360743" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_f312429a-7dcf-4256-a2de-d9cebc0eaff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_a2bb4712-ba27-4dd5-b67a-3b1548360743" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_a3c8e94f-6ed9-459f-9a1d-3c290d577be6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_f312429a-7dcf-4256-a2de-d9cebc0eaff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_a3c8e94f-6ed9-459f-9a1d-3c290d577be6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax_c6c998e1-706c-4849-8a7c-915f97314143" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_f312429a-7dcf-4256-a2de-d9cebc0eaff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax_c6c998e1-706c-4849-8a7c-915f97314143" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_279de606-ba43-4b5a-ab23-9c74cbf68789" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_f312429a-7dcf-4256-a2de-d9cebc0eaff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_279de606-ba43-4b5a-ab23-9c74cbf68789" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_7f28e495-0a52-44a3-8503-d0aba230a95b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_f312429a-7dcf-4256-a2de-d9cebc0eaff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_7f28e495-0a52-44a3-8503-d0aba230a95b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders_d405dd17-3492-4247-856c-bab1ee2e3e63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_f312429a-7dcf-4256-a2de-d9cebc0eaff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders_d405dd17-3492-4247-856c-bab1ee2e3e63" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_7fc6cff8-3d66-4b77-b4d3-1df3b6054db1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_f312429a-7dcf-4256-a2de-d9cebc0eaff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_7fc6cff8-3d66-4b77-b4d3-1df3b6054db1" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_c5541164-fa0e-4b2a-8991-4cf129169afe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_f312429a-7dcf-4256-a2de-d9cebc0eaff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_c5541164-fa0e-4b2a-8991-4cf129169afe" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_501ff100-55c7-4d5d-9d35-9034602ebd7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_84bbd931-b293-42d9-969f-e20e697ff36c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fbf8027d-0789-4a6a-87cb-af7a168d8e53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_84bbd931-b293-42d9-969f-e20e697ff36c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_40c04bc0-b1f8-40ae-a2ce-b00dc45ba3ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fbf8027d-0789-4a6a-87cb-af7a168d8e53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_40c04bc0-b1f8-40ae-a2ce-b00dc45ba3ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_076c178d-6e65-4c8a-9651-50ecc5f2e05b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_40c04bc0-b1f8-40ae-a2ce-b00dc45ba3ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_076c178d-6e65-4c8a-9651-50ecc5f2e05b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_076c178d-6e65-4c8a-9651-50ecc5f2e05b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_076c178d-6e65-4c8a-9651-50ecc5f2e05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_076c178d-6e65-4c8a-9651-50ecc5f2e05b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4fc27d97-89e6-4c9c-8469-4134a390250c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_076c178d-6e65-4c8a-9651-50ecc5f2e05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4fc27d97-89e6-4c9c-8469-4134a390250c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_100e60d6-806e-406e-b03d-217ffe65a323" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4fc27d97-89e6-4c9c-8469-4134a390250c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_100e60d6-806e-406e-b03d-217ffe65a323" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_92e49274-6aa5-4f75-bead-5e0979e8591e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4fc27d97-89e6-4c9c-8469-4134a390250c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_92e49274-6aa5-4f75-bead-5e0979e8591e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_534528e8-e819-4566-85d5-6dd7a4764918" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4fc27d97-89e6-4c9c-8469-4134a390250c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_534528e8-e819-4566-85d5-6dd7a4764918" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_b2bd4094-4606-4f5c-8784-424fd6f11dc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_4fc27d97-89e6-4c9c-8469-4134a390250c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_b2bd4094-4606-4f5c-8784-424fd6f11dc6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/EquityInvestmentsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#EquityInvestmentsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/EquityInvestmentsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="icb2965b3f6ef45e5a8201de71d370604_EquityInvestmentsTables">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_2ec1e022-e108-412e-85e9-2dafb81a5e38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsTextBlock_2d70cdf6-de4f-4f87-b1ec-15c4a6da0f9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_2ec1e022-e108-412e-85e9-2dafb81a5e38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsTextBlock_2d70cdf6-de4f-4f87-b1ec-15c4a6da0f9c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_1347d393-cf3a-4860-8601-ecc5d6f37ce2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_2ec1e022-e108-412e-85e9-2dafb81a5e38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_1347d393-cf3a-4860-8601-ecc5d6f37ce2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_3ab005ef-9b8e-4cca-91fd-210b583cff48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_1347d393-cf3a-4860-8601-ecc5d6f37ce2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_3ab005ef-9b8e-4cca-91fd-210b583cff48" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_3ab005ef-9b8e-4cca-91fd-210b583cff48_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_3ab005ef-9b8e-4cca-91fd-210b583cff48" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_3ab005ef-9b8e-4cca-91fd-210b583cff48_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_b94ef388-7800-429f-ab5e-eab2ed9f3777" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_3ab005ef-9b8e-4cca-91fd-210b583cff48" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_b94ef388-7800-429f-ab5e-eab2ed9f3777" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ATCMember_aa5f753e-b7fd-4eb5-8780-ebedc51e6b4c" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ATCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_b94ef388-7800-429f-ab5e-eab2ed9f3777" xlink:to="loc_ale_ATCMember_aa5f753e-b7fd-4eb5-8780-ebedc51e6b4c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_Nobles2Member_eba5d87e-8711-41f4-a344-621350d5f54b" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_Nobles2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_b94ef388-7800-429f-ab5e-eab2ed9f3777" xlink:to="loc_ale_Nobles2Member_eba5d87e-8711-41f4-a344-621350d5f54b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i47912a363d70477498c99d2eeb55c49d_OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9a26f93f-aad8-4685-9019-f9084cdc7732" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherReceivables_de28d7d9-00c1-4be9-82b3-70f09388657a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9a26f93f-aad8-4685-9019-f9084cdc7732" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherReceivables_de28d7d9-00c1-4be9-82b3-70f09388657a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a32ae7f7-fe74-4b24-ada3-d79f5195b0a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9a26f93f-aad8-4685-9019-f9084cdc7732" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a32ae7f7-fe74-4b24-ada3-d79f5195b0a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_75358495-bdef-49de-894b-7691da89c24f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_a32ae7f7-fe74-4b24-ada3-d79f5195b0a0" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_75358495-bdef-49de-894b-7691da89c24f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_75358495-bdef-49de-894b-7691da89c24f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_75358495-bdef-49de-894b-7691da89c24f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_75358495-bdef-49de-894b-7691da89c24f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_048feac6-97fe-4dd5-84b1-910181cc19f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_75358495-bdef-49de-894b-7691da89c24f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_048feac6-97fe-4dd5-84b1-910181cc19f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_BNIEnergyMember_33052a00-c4f0-4d25-ab4d-1c2f3acdfc62" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_BNIEnergyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_048feac6-97fe-4dd5-84b1-910181cc19f5" xlink:to="loc_ale_BNIEnergyMember_33052a00-c4f0-4d25-ab4d-1c2f3acdfc62" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesOtherIncomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesOtherIncomeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesOtherIncomeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if847793403e5489ba1bd345b7f76cf04_OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesOtherIncomeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_OtherIncomeExpenseOtherLineItems_382f3a44-0b4f-4da3-92e0-f425b1b6872e" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_OtherIncomeExpenseOtherLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_67dc82da-81f6-4f19-8eb8-fa3b699066ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_OtherIncomeExpenseOtherLineItems_382f3a44-0b4f-4da3-92e0-f425b1b6872e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_67dc82da-81f6-4f19-8eb8-fa3b699066ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_OtherIncomeExpenseOtherTable_e549d864-07e8-4672-9f6a-44e5f2d12635" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_OtherIncomeExpenseOtherTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_ale_OtherIncomeExpenseOtherLineItems_382f3a44-0b4f-4da3-92e0-f425b1b6872e" xlink:to="loc_ale_OtherIncomeExpenseOtherTable_e549d864-07e8-4672-9f6a-44e5f2d12635" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherAxis_0f95475d-d229-4f85-b195-623b7fa754ec" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ale_OtherIncomeExpenseOtherTable_e549d864-07e8-4672-9f6a-44e5f2d12635" xlink:to="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherAxis_0f95475d-d229-4f85-b195-623b7fa754ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherDomain_0f95475d-d229-4f85-b195-623b7fa754ec_default" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherAxis_0f95475d-d229-4f85-b195-623b7fa754ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherDomain_0f95475d-d229-4f85-b195-623b7fa754ec_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherDomain_4fb46e08-5019-4ad6-8ce6-73f1543b4f59" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherAxis_0f95475d-d229-4f85-b195-623b7fa754ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherDomain_4fb46e08-5019-4ad6-8ce6-73f1543b4f59" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_PensionandOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNonServiceCreditMember_cfbbf886-36e9-49a4-bd2b-1ee7e68f6fe8" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_PensionandOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNonServiceCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherDomain_4fb46e08-5019-4ad6-8ce6-73f1543b4f59" xlink:to="loc_ale_PensionandOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNonServiceCreditMember_cfbbf886-36e9-49a4-bd2b-1ee7e68f6fe8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_InterestandInvestmentEarningsMember_99d91c2c-a032-4084-a5fd-dc5ba59cdf87" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_InterestandInvestmentEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherDomain_4fb46e08-5019-4ad6-8ce6-73f1543b4f59" xlink:to="loc_ale_InterestandInvestmentEarningsMember_99d91c2c-a032-4084-a5fd-dc5ba59cdf87" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_AFUDCEquityMember_ade2247c-884e-4eda-8f1b-656f0949765d" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_AFUDCEquityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherDomain_4fb46e08-5019-4ad6-8ce6-73f1543b4f59" xlink:to="loc_ale_AFUDCEquityMember_ade2247c-884e-4eda-8f1b-656f0949765d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_PSALiabilityMember_8d32e66a-79c0-483c-9ec5-97924aab7bee" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_PSALiabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherDomain_4fb46e08-5019-4ad6-8ce6-73f1543b4f59" xlink:to="loc_ale_PSALiabilityMember_8d32e66a-79c0-483c-9ec5-97924aab7bee" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_OtherIncomeExpenseOtherMember_8858fbb7-20dd-46be-bc81-4fd7ee7b0bad" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_OtherIncomeExpenseOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_ComponentofOtherIncomeExpenseOtherDomain_4fb46e08-5019-4ad6-8ce6-73f1543b4f59" xlink:to="loc_ale_OtherIncomeExpenseOtherMember_8858fbb7-20dd-46be-bc81-4fd7ee7b0bad" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesNonControllingInterestDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesNonControllingInterestDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesNonControllingInterestDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2b5b43eb79f84150aefffcfee9b7c4ef_OperationsandSignificantAccountingPoliciesNonControllingInterestDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_NonControllingInterestDetailsLineItems_11803659-be95-4312-8ff3-09028c698259" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_NonControllingInterestDetailsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GeneratingCapacitySubjecttoTaxEquityFinancing_63445472-bc8b-4b8b-8473-addce926c976" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GeneratingCapacitySubjecttoTaxEquityFinancing"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_NonControllingInterestDetailsLineItems_11803659-be95-4312-8ff3-09028c698259" xlink:to="loc_ale_GeneratingCapacitySubjecttoTaxEquityFinancing_63445472-bc8b-4b8b-8473-addce926c976" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_NonControllingInterestDetailsTable_f676798e-fd52-4928-85bb-4121beaa1ce8" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_NonControllingInterestDetailsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_ale_NonControllingInterestDetailsLineItems_11803659-be95-4312-8ff3-09028c698259" xlink:to="loc_ale_NonControllingInterestDetailsTable_f676798e-fd52-4928-85bb-4121beaa1ce8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityAxisAxis_22a147dc-d5e6-49e0-8be3-318ec9747191" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GeneratingFacilityAxisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ale_NonControllingInterestDetailsTable_f676798e-fd52-4928-85bb-4121beaa1ce8" xlink:to="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityAxisAxis_22a147dc-d5e6-49e0-8be3-318ec9747191" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_22a147dc-d5e6-49e0-8be3-318ec9747191_default" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityAxisAxis_22a147dc-d5e6-49e0-8be3-318ec9747191" xlink:to="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_22a147dc-d5e6-49e0-8be3-318ec9747191_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_1b4e118a-b01d-441d-b3a7-4087bdcb007f" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityAxisAxis_22a147dc-d5e6-49e0-8be3-318ec9747191" xlink:to="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_1b4e118a-b01d-441d-b3a7-4087bdcb007f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GlenUllinEnergyCenterMember_e3657ffd-de00-4c7a-9f6c-2ce314250433" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GlenUllinEnergyCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_1b4e118a-b01d-441d-b3a7-4087bdcb007f" xlink:to="loc_ale_GlenUllinEnergyCenterMember_e3657ffd-de00-4c7a-9f6c-2ce314250433" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_SouthPeakMember_322aeed4-55ca-4b2f-9b3d-33cf387ffd0e" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_SouthPeakMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_1b4e118a-b01d-441d-b3a7-4087bdcb007f" xlink:to="loc_ale_SouthPeakMember_322aeed4-55ca-4b2f-9b3d-33cf387ffd0e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_DiamondSpringMember_cb4d7bfb-0469-43f0-afb6-a5123c2c86d0" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_DiamondSpringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_1b4e118a-b01d-441d-b3a7-4087bdcb007f" xlink:to="loc_ale_DiamondSpringMember_cb4d7bfb-0469-43f0-afb6-a5123c2c86d0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CaddoMember_97464a3d-1037-418c-8c4e-7f5bf4fee959" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CaddoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_1b4e118a-b01d-441d-b3a7-4087bdcb007f" xlink:to="loc_ale_CaddoMember_97464a3d-1037-418c-8c4e-7f5bf4fee959" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_Nobles2Member_123b1c95-c0b0-4fc6-9a02-65687a73ade8" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_Nobles2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_1b4e118a-b01d-441d-b3a7-4087bdcb007f" xlink:to="loc_ale_Nobles2Member_123b1c95-c0b0-4fc6-9a02-65687a73ade8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/RegulatoryMattersElectricRatesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#RegulatoryMattersElectricRatesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/RegulatoryMattersElectricRatesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if3e29b8e85c84b9bacd8cd84a59bcf53_RegulatoryMattersElectricRatesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatedOperatingRevenueOther_5b2da114-8afe-4292-ace6-e731f6168117" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatedOperatingRevenueOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatedOperatingRevenueOther_5b2da114-8afe-4292-ace6-e731f6168117" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedRateIncreaseDecreaseAmount_b2ea8dc6-e91b-4c36-b71f-d3a5964032e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedRateIncreaseDecreaseAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedRateIncreaseDecreaseAmount_b2ea8dc6-e91b-4c36-b71f-d3a5964032e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedRateIncreaseDecreasePercentage_a32b10ef-fec2-4df3-a302-7337c82d0a59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedRateIncreaseDecreasePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedRateIncreaseDecreasePercentage_a32b10ef-fec2-4df3-a302-7337c82d0a59" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInterimRateIncreaseDecreaseAmount_c96a8718-3d71-416a-9d31-30a6e8e6afc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInterimRateIncreaseDecreaseAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesInterimRateIncreaseDecreaseAmount_c96a8718-3d71-416a-9d31-30a6e8e6afc3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedReturnOnEquityPercentage_6efb0ad0-0843-4864-9a4b-492cdd677a58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedReturnOnEquityPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedReturnOnEquityPercentage_6efb0ad0-0843-4864-9a4b-492cdd677a58" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedEquityCapitalStructurePercentage_93e73fc2-b062-4de3-a20e-7848d11f69a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedEquityCapitalStructurePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRequestedEquityCapitalStructurePercentage_93e73fc2-b062-4de3-a20e-7848d11f69a3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_DeferredInterimRates_f35703fd-1e14-4fdc-99d2-c255c4b5c4be" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_DeferredInterimRates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:to="loc_ale_DeferredInterimRates_f35703fd-1e14-4fdc-99d2-c255c4b5c4be" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent_9e1a7afd-8c51-4be0-bf78-19b8212d0027" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent_9e1a7afd-8c51-4be0-bf78-19b8212d0027" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ALJRecommendedRateIncrease_67ac717a-f375-4773-b66e-29c29e3ac492" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ALJRecommendedRateIncrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:to="loc_ale_ALJRecommendedRateIncrease_67ac717a-f375-4773-b66e-29c29e3ac492" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ExceptionsToALJRateCaseRecommendations_84c2b3e3-3b4a-4961-95b0-7e1e1d7e14a7" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ExceptionsToALJRateCaseRecommendations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:to="loc_ale_ExceptionsToALJRateCaseRecommendations_84c2b3e3-3b4a-4961-95b0-7e1e1d7e14a7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_9fc125fe-da33-4e19-9f6f-a56d8e285445" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_87ecf4b1-719a-479e-a1d4-1e8516b485ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_9fc125fe-da33-4e19-9f6f-a56d8e285445" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_RateTypeAxis_46e2eb47-4168-4835-beda-107f10b38d5e" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_RateTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_9fc125fe-da33-4e19-9f6f-a56d8e285445" xlink:to="loc_ale_RateTypeAxis_46e2eb47-4168-4835-beda-107f10b38d5e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_RateInformationByTypeDomain_46e2eb47-4168-4835-beda-107f10b38d5e_default" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_RateInformationByTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_ale_RateTypeAxis_46e2eb47-4168-4835-beda-107f10b38d5e" xlink:to="loc_ale_RateInformationByTypeDomain_46e2eb47-4168-4835-beda-107f10b38d5e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_RateInformationByTypeDomain_f1a0e602-cd14-4c52-8eee-f81e4f31ab6a" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_RateInformationByTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_ale_RateTypeAxis_46e2eb47-4168-4835-beda-107f10b38d5e" xlink:to="loc_ale_RateInformationByTypeDomain_f1a0e602-cd14-4c52-8eee-f81e4f31ab6a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ElectricRatesMember_b7a9d4f2-36cd-4ef1-a5cb-4230ef771d14" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ElectricRatesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_RateInformationByTypeDomain_f1a0e602-cd14-4c52-8eee-f81e4f31ab6a" xlink:to="loc_ale_ElectricRatesMember_b7a9d4f2-36cd-4ef1-a5cb-4230ef771d14" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis_f5ceb421-f93e-4465-a7f0-f5747fe9f8a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_9fc125fe-da33-4e19-9f6f-a56d8e285445" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis_f5ceb421-f93e-4465-a7f0-f5747fe9f8a4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain_f5ceb421-f93e-4465-a7f0-f5747fe9f8a4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis_f5ceb421-f93e-4465-a7f0-f5747fe9f8a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain_f5ceb421-f93e-4465-a7f0-f5747fe9f8a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain_8cac92f7-4596-4c40-8a13-bc5fc97bdb8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis_f5ceb421-f93e-4465-a7f0-f5747fe9f8a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain_8cac92f7-4596-4c40-8a13-bc5fc97bdb8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MPUCMember_78507e6c-b01a-490e-a8d2-72f0abd33d7a" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MPUCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain_8cac92f7-4596-4c40-8a13-bc5fc97bdb8c" xlink:to="loc_ale_MPUCMember_78507e6c-b01a-490e-a8d2-72f0abd33d7a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_PSCWMember_53cd6329-67bc-4a54-b2b0-c93ba6cd907f" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_PSCWMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain_8cac92f7-4596-4c40-8a13-bc5fc97bdb8c" xlink:to="loc_ale_PSCWMember_53cd6329-67bc-4a54-b2b0-c93ba6cd907f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_a95fdcab-609c-4321-a851-2ddbf13a971a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_9fc125fe-da33-4e19-9f6f-a56d8e285445" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_a95fdcab-609c-4321-a851-2ddbf13a971a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_a95fdcab-609c-4321-a851-2ddbf13a971a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_a95fdcab-609c-4321-a851-2ddbf13a971a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_a95fdcab-609c-4321-a851-2ddbf13a971a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_18b9e91f-b9f9-4ed9-8013-031be074fe1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_a95fdcab-609c-4321-a851-2ddbf13a971a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_18b9e91f-b9f9-4ed9-8013-031be074fe1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CurrentCostRecoveryRiderMember_be80a9ce-0c3f-490e-a1da-9fe8e187950b" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CurrentCostRecoveryRiderMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_18b9e91f-b9f9-4ed9-8013-031be074fe1a" xlink:to="loc_ale_CurrentCostRecoveryRiderMember_be80a9ce-0c3f-490e-a1da-9fe8e187950b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_A2022MinnesotaGeneralRateReviewMember_3b4dee63-cf07-4520-8d31-4c6269fcb9b5" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_A2022MinnesotaGeneralRateReviewMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_18b9e91f-b9f9-4ed9-8013-031be074fe1a" xlink:to="loc_ale_A2022MinnesotaGeneralRateReviewMember_3b4dee63-cf07-4520-8d31-4c6269fcb9b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_A2022WisconsinGeneralRateReviewMember_ae6c53de-275e-4a93-b6c7-2271fd634a01" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_A2022WisconsinGeneralRateReviewMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_18b9e91f-b9f9-4ed9-8013-031be074fe1a" xlink:to="loc_ale_A2022WisconsinGeneralRateReviewMember_ae6c53de-275e-4a93-b6c7-2271fd634a01" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CostRecoveryRidersMember_f1aaab12-252a-42a6-ad50-a6e95da74a36" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CostRecoveryRidersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_18b9e91f-b9f9-4ed9-8013-031be074fe1a" xlink:to="loc_ale_CostRecoveryRidersMember_f1aaab12-252a-42a6-ad50-a6e95da74a36" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_FuelAdjustmentClauseMember_02b42a34-be1b-41d9-9a4f-f72e134438a7" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_FuelAdjustmentClauseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_18b9e91f-b9f9-4ed9-8013-031be074fe1a" xlink:to="loc_ale_FuelAdjustmentClauseMember_02b42a34-be1b-41d9-9a4f-f72e134438a7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CIPConsolidatedFilingMemberMember_37fb5684-5b9d-4676-91c2-23f02ed0c365" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CIPConsolidatedFilingMemberMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_18b9e91f-b9f9-4ed9-8013-031be074fe1a" xlink:to="loc_ale_CIPConsolidatedFilingMemberMember_37fb5684-5b9d-4676-91c2-23f02ed0c365" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b3994dd9-c920-436b-aa20-7deac4d5dc8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_9fc125fe-da33-4e19-9f6f-a56d8e285445" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b3994dd9-c920-436b-aa20-7deac4d5dc8f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b3994dd9-c920-436b-aa20-7deac4d5dc8f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b3994dd9-c920-436b-aa20-7deac4d5dc8f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b3994dd9-c920-436b-aa20-7deac4d5dc8f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_144b5ac4-0004-4833-a716-07828efa9293" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b3994dd9-c920-436b-aa20-7deac4d5dc8f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_144b5ac4-0004-4833-a716-07828efa9293" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_ce2bc98e-59e4-4e2f-a974-da809e814da5" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MinnesotaPowerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_144b5ac4-0004-4833-a716-07828efa9293" xlink:to="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_ce2bc98e-59e4-4e2f-a974-da809e814da5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_RetailCustomersMember_dac530a8-acd9-4612-ad16-c9362ee3b038" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_RetailCustomersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_144b5ac4-0004-4833-a716-07828efa9293" xlink:to="loc_ale_RetailCustomersMember_dac530a8-acd9-4612-ad16-c9362ee3b038" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_SWLPMember_eca48a82-c485-4235-8876-1390760bfe33" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_SWLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_144b5ac4-0004-4833-a716-07828efa9293" xlink:to="loc_ale_SWLPMember_eca48a82-c485-4235-8876-1390760bfe33" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CustomerClassAxis_7e12eaf8-d789-424a-a3bc-c517c4fdab01" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CustomerClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_9fc125fe-da33-4e19-9f6f-a56d8e285445" xlink:to="loc_ale_CustomerClassAxis_7e12eaf8-d789-424a-a3bc-c517c4fdab01" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CustomerClassDomain_7e12eaf8-d789-424a-a3bc-c517c4fdab01_default" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CustomerClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_ale_CustomerClassAxis_7e12eaf8-d789-424a-a3bc-c517c4fdab01" xlink:to="loc_ale_CustomerClassDomain_7e12eaf8-d789-424a-a3bc-c517c4fdab01_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CustomerClassDomain_eaa5c80d-5399-462a-9289-223c13cd6280" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CustomerClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_ale_CustomerClassAxis_7e12eaf8-d789-424a-a3bc-c517c4fdab01" xlink:to="loc_ale_CustomerClassDomain_eaa5c80d-5399-462a-9289-223c13cd6280" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_RetailCustomersMember_7f3cd779-281a-4035-9270-9e2663d4bbbb" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_RetailCustomersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_CustomerClassDomain_eaa5c80d-5399-462a-9289-223c13cd6280" xlink:to="loc_ale_RetailCustomersMember_7f3cd779-281a-4035-9270-9e2663d4bbbb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/RegulatoryMattersIntegratedResourcePlanDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#RegulatoryMattersIntegratedResourcePlanDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/RegulatoryMattersIntegratedResourcePlanDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0170e44a8d824996b3252458a2318967_RegulatoryMattersIntegratedResourcePlanDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_2725f8de-dc04-4889-b676-c03af0c76f8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_AnticipatedAdditionalGeneratingCapacityMW_bd4abb51-34de-4b58-9936-609cb4b70696" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_AnticipatedAdditionalGeneratingCapacityMW"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_2725f8de-dc04-4889-b676-c03af0c76f8f" xlink:to="loc_ale_AnticipatedAdditionalGeneratingCapacityMW_bd4abb51-34de-4b58-9936-609cb4b70696" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_856ee6d0-0f2e-436d-b45b-2e5f3524a8c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresLineItems_2725f8de-dc04-4889-b676-c03af0c76f8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_856ee6d0-0f2e-436d-b45b-2e5f3524a8c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GenerationTypeAxis_cfb6df63-780a-42e7-b4db-ba79ac7aec4e" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GenerationTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_856ee6d0-0f2e-436d-b45b-2e5f3524a8c2" xlink:to="loc_ale_GenerationTypeAxis_cfb6df63-780a-42e7-b4db-ba79ac7aec4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GenerationTypeDomain_cfb6df63-780a-42e7-b4db-ba79ac7aec4e_default" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GenerationTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_ale_GenerationTypeAxis_cfb6df63-780a-42e7-b4db-ba79ac7aec4e" xlink:to="loc_ale_GenerationTypeDomain_cfb6df63-780a-42e7-b4db-ba79ac7aec4e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GenerationTypeDomain_90fc7c38-8c87-456c-ac63-b06e03539df4" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GenerationTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_ale_GenerationTypeAxis_cfb6df63-780a-42e7-b4db-ba79ac7aec4e" xlink:to="loc_ale_GenerationTypeDomain_90fc7c38-8c87-456c-ac63-b06e03539df4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_RenewableGenerationMember_a8f4e887-14a1-438e-ab5b-3e182c28a380" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_RenewableGenerationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GenerationTypeDomain_90fc7c38-8c87-456c-ac63-b06e03539df4" xlink:to="loc_ale_RenewableGenerationMember_a8f4e887-14a1-438e-ab5b-3e182c28a380" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_94e95447-4d9c-4b30-b51b-c4606cef1816" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_856ee6d0-0f2e-436d-b45b-2e5f3524a8c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_94e95447-4d9c-4b30-b51b-c4606cef1816" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_94e95447-4d9c-4b30-b51b-c4606cef1816_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_94e95447-4d9c-4b30-b51b-c4606cef1816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_94e95447-4d9c-4b30-b51b-c4606cef1816_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_daa4851b-c245-4aa0-896f-efc93ed374bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_94e95447-4d9c-4b30-b51b-c4606cef1816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_daa4851b-c245-4aa0-896f-efc93ed374bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MPUCMember_34f66271-a46c-45b9-9936-facf458c852c" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MPUCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_daa4851b-c245-4aa0-896f-efc93ed374bd" xlink:to="loc_ale_MPUCMember_34f66271-a46c-45b9-9936-facf458c852c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_A2021IntegratedResourcePlanMember_7ba79b98-cac4-4fda-888a-ff98a26d77c4" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_A2021IntegratedResourcePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_daa4851b-c245-4aa0-896f-efc93ed374bd" xlink:to="loc_ale_A2021IntegratedResourcePlanMember_7ba79b98-cac4-4fda-888a-ff98a26d77c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis_0c8c5930-4d96-4016-bb4d-5d6376b1145e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesGeneralDisclosuresTable_856ee6d0-0f2e-436d-b45b-2e5f3524a8c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis_0c8c5930-4d96-4016-bb4d-5d6376b1145e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain_0c8c5930-4d96-4016-bb4d-5d6376b1145e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis_0c8c5930-4d96-4016-bb4d-5d6376b1145e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain_0c8c5930-4d96-4016-bb4d-5d6376b1145e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain_476e47bc-4c6e-4d5e-ac3c-8ce092314b96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyAxis_0c8c5930-4d96-4016-bb4d-5d6376b1145e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain_476e47bc-4c6e-4d5e-ac3c-8ce092314b96" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MPUCMember_1a71ec2a-71d2-41a8-a4b2-18e775b69714" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MPUCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAgencyDomain_476e47bc-4c6e-4d5e-ac3c-8ce092314b96" xlink:to="loc_ale_MPUCMember_1a71ec2a-71d2-41a8-a4b2-18e775b69714" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/RegulatoryMattersRegulatoryAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#RegulatoryMattersRegulatoryAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/RegulatoryMattersRegulatoryAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i3a8634930fee40978f2eb7a8caf4cb0f_RegulatoryMattersRegulatoryAssetsandLiabilitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_RegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems_aaeffc99-84dc-41f3-b420-c7ac955236bd" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_RegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent_ca272a20-1972-40ef-9086-0f4c486a6a2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_RegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems_aaeffc99-84dc-41f3-b420-c7ac955236bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsCurrent_ca272a20-1972-40ef-9086-0f4c486a6a2f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent_cdbcc8b3-e86b-4dcf-bbed-c373fe90be34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_RegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems_aaeffc99-84dc-41f3-b420-c7ac955236bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetsNoncurrent_cdbcc8b3-e86b-4dcf-bbed-c373fe90be34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets_a5239cff-2d00-4222-8b1b-422153f08e9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_RegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems_aaeffc99-84dc-41f3-b420-c7ac955236bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets_a5239cff-2d00-4222-8b1b-422153f08e9b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent_b1dcbea1-85f5-4007-855c-c8fd2ddb7c4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_RegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems_aaeffc99-84dc-41f3-b420-c7ac955236bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityCurrent_b1dcbea1-85f5-4007-855c-c8fd2ddb7c4b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent_b1b1abad-9653-439e-99f8-c08d5cfa3d1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_RegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems_aaeffc99-84dc-41f3-b420-c7ac955236bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityNoncurrent_b1b1abad-9653-439e-99f8-c08d5cfa3d1c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities_7d1fc610-ab7c-40b8-bb07-26623aa8bba4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_RegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems_aaeffc99-84dc-41f3-b420-c7ac955236bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilities_7d1fc610-ab7c-40b8-bb07-26623aa8bba4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ScheduleOfRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesTable_78ee529a-1125-4a03-b272-98dbd1affe19" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ScheduleOfRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_ale_RegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesLineItems_aaeffc99-84dc-41f3-b420-c7ac955236bd" xlink:to="loc_ale_ScheduleOfRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesTable_78ee529a-1125-4a03-b272-98dbd1affe19" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis_81beb086-94b2-464c-b570-772f551f758f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ale_ScheduleOfRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesTable_78ee529a-1125-4a03-b272-98dbd1affe19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis_81beb086-94b2-464c-b570-772f551f758f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_81beb086-94b2-464c-b570-772f551f758f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis_81beb086-94b2-464c-b570-772f551f758f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_81beb086-94b2-464c-b570-772f551f758f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_1fb7ee0e-e06a-45d5-81db-cb7768c8e0e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetAxis_81beb086-94b2-464c-b570-772f551f758f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_1fb7ee0e-e06a-45d5-81db-cb7768c8e0e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansCostsMember_effd7043-3a32-4480-b80b-4ca2bab6fc81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_1fb7ee0e-e06a-45d5-81db-cb7768c8e0e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansCostsMember_effd7043-3a32-4480-b80b-4ca2bab6fc81" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember_2054f5de-755c-44ff-91c9-5821ee3607ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_1fb7ee0e-e06a-45d5-81db-cb7768c8e0e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember_2054f5de-755c-44ff-91c9-5821ee3607ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CostRecoveryRidersMember_f327f413-d8c7-4f21-9b90-bcffe8b7467b" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CostRecoveryRidersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_1fb7ee0e-e06a-45d5-81db-cb7768c8e0e3" xlink:to="loc_ale_CostRecoveryRidersMember_f327f413-d8c7-4f21-9b90-bcffe8b7467b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember_814b69d7-d61a-43a6-905f-6105ed2f2b6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_1fb7ee0e-e06a-45d5-81db-cb7768c8e0e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationCostsMember_814b69d7-d61a-43a6-905f-6105ed2f2b6c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ManufacturedGasPlantMember_46b53c4c-11f7-4563-be63-2bd9fe8f0f7e" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ManufacturedGasPlantMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_1fb7ee0e-e06a-45d5-81db-cb7768c8e0e3" xlink:to="loc_ale_ManufacturedGasPlantMember_46b53c4c-11f7-4563-be63-2bd9fe8f0f7e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MedicarePartDRegulatoryAssetMember_b1bcb16b-b175-44f5-a340-727eb2f1e0a7" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MedicarePartDRegulatoryAssetMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_1fb7ee0e-e06a-45d5-81db-cb7768c8e0e3" xlink:to="loc_ale_MedicarePartDRegulatoryAssetMember_b1bcb16b-b175-44f5-a340-727eb2f1e0a7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember_cddad0c5-e550-4588-b5b6-4e17968d5158" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_1fb7ee0e-e06a-45d5-81db-cb7768c8e0e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember_cddad0c5-e550-4588-b5b6-4e17968d5158" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryClauseRevenuesUnderRecoveredMember_3e0445ab-271f-4350-b525-b6e336423eb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryClauseRevenuesUnderRecoveredMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_1fb7ee0e-e06a-45d5-81db-cb7768c8e0e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryClauseRevenuesUnderRecoveredMember_3e0445ab-271f-4350-b525-b6e336423eb2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ResidentialCustomerInterimRateAdjustmentMember_77a7a5d8-a303-46ff-ac1d-9217009b516a" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ResidentialCustomerInterimRateAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryAssetDomain_1fb7ee0e-e06a-45d5-81db-cb7768c8e0e3" xlink:to="loc_ale_ResidentialCustomerInterimRateAdjustmentMember_77a7a5d8-a303-46ff-ac1d-9217009b516a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis_02693754-0bc6-44a6-aef6-079032574533" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ale_ScheduleOfRegulatoryAssetsAndLiabilitiesTable_78ee529a-1125-4a03-b272-98dbd1affe19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis_02693754-0bc6-44a6-aef6-079032574533" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_02693754-0bc6-44a6-aef6-079032574533_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis_02693754-0bc6-44a6-aef6-079032574533" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_02693754-0bc6-44a6-aef6-079032574533_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityAxis_02693754-0bc6-44a6-aef6-079032574533" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryClauseRevenuesUnderRecoveredMember_adfc8e31-d4a8-4318-92e7-e460df0e6ee3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RegulatoryClauseRevenuesUnderRecoveredMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryClauseRevenuesUnderRecoveredMember_adfc8e31-d4a8-4318-92e7-e460df0e6ee3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_TransmissionFormulaRatesMember_fc2641a0-27fd-4240-8394-f25eafb70fab" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_TransmissionFormulaRatesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_ale_TransmissionFormulaRatesMember_fc2641a0-27fd-4240-8394-f25eafb70fab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember_21f0f46c-dd62-44bd-aad2-fac13e80442f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxChargesMember_21f0f46c-dd62-44bd-aad2-fac13e80442f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_WholesaleAndRetailContraAfudcMember_63855cae-d39c-44e1-8715-35f8d606fe07" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_WholesaleAndRetailContraAfudcMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_ale_WholesaleAndRetailContraAfudcMember_63855cae-d39c-44e1-8715-35f8d606fe07" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RemovalCostsMember_e2c54084-2531-4dec-9ac9-903f1a06302c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RemovalCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RemovalCostsMember_e2c54084-2531-4dec-9ac9-903f1a06302c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansCostsMember_41601dd9-9f31-43b7-87c1-e7ead6363767" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementPlansCostsMember_41601dd9-9f31-43b7-87c1-e7ead6363767" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_NorthDakotaInvestmentTaxCreditsSubjecttoRefundMember_ad70c1ed-27c0-4eff-b1c1-01ce3527baf3" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_NorthDakotaInvestmentTaxCreditsSubjecttoRefundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_ale_NorthDakotaInvestmentTaxCreditsSubjecttoRefundMember_ad70c1ed-27c0-4eff-b1c1-01ce3527baf3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CostRecoveryRidersMember_991eba26-b631-4f46-9d33-e12cc0b379fb" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CostRecoveryRidersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_ale_CostRecoveryRidersMember_991eba26-b631-4f46-9d33-e12cc0b379fb" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember_2316dd37-f29b-4bbc-a767-3cd86da3e1c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherRegulatoryAssetsLiabilitiesMember_2316dd37-f29b-4bbc-a767-3cd86da3e1c3" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_BoswellUnits1And2NetPlantAndEquipmentMember_651dd4a9-0547-429b-9b86-ce2ba4155d49" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_BoswellUnits1And2NetPlantAndEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_ale_BoswellUnits1And2NetPlantAndEquipmentMember_651dd4a9-0547-429b-9b86-ce2ba4155d49" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_FuelAdjustmentClauseMember_3737d245-3fa8-4784-9113-0db367616cc2" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_FuelAdjustmentClauseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_ale_FuelAdjustmentClauseMember_3737d245-3fa8-4784-9113-0db367616cc2" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_RegulatedLandSaleMember_e67fd342-a4c8-49d2-987d-04506b7f51d8" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_RegulatedLandSaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RegulatoryLiabilityDomain_f0391500-18c2-42ac-9339-f04653e11eb4" xlink:to="loc_ale_RegulatedLandSaleMember_e67fd342-a4c8-49d2-987d-04506b7f51d8" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#AcquisitionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/AcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iee251722cc4d45bab53f8cdfe52bbf0e_AcquisitionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_3e9eba37-fb51-49d8-90e6-0dd75db21c8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_3e9eba37-fb51-49d8-90e6-0dd75db21c8d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_TransactionPurchasePrice_544e44be-21db-47fd-aaa3-5fd7bcc42307" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_TransactionPurchasePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_ale_TransactionPurchasePrice_544e44be-21db-47fd-aaa3-5fd7bcc42307" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_8e4f886e-9072-4bde-8c3d-62493fa5c460" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_8e4f886e-9072-4bde-8c3d-62493fa5c460" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationDescription_bbcdd8e1-be88-4716-b67f-885c58cdb1fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationDescription"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationDescription_bbcdd8e1-be88-4716-b67f-885c58cdb1fa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationReasonForBusinessCombination_f57aceda-3661-4a5a-a8d0-c98e48d09859" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationReasonForBusinessCombination"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationReasonForBusinessCombination_f57aceda-3661-4a5a-a8d0-c98e48d09859" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationGoodwillRecognizedDescription_a97d3258-b4a9-4111-9d63-fc44da371cdf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationGoodwillRecognizedDescription"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationGoodwillRecognizedDescription_a97d3258-b4a9-4111-9d63-fc44da371cdf" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual_95b50f34-8541-4261-bb79-b5853b58d061" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual_95b50f34-8541-4261-bb79-b5853b58d061" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents_b88d3c19-1798-4149-803f-e9c9661bd6f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents_b88d3c19-1798-4149-803f-e9c9661bd6f6" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquiredReceivablesFairValue_c524be0d-6a5c-4662-8380-052e3584c005" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquiredReceivablesFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquiredReceivablesFairValue_c524be0d-6a5c-4662-8380-052e3584c005" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedInventory_47d7458a-fe2a-4d32-845e-58a9740c8276" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedInventory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedInventory_47d7458a-fe2a-4d32-845e-58a9740c8276" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsOther_d613481d-f925-4662-bb81-403f328f3021" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsOther_d613481d-f925-4662-bb81-403f328f3021" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_86e8c0eb-767d-4c4d-92a4-b2914d034b8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_86e8c0eb-767d-4c4d-92a4-b2914d034b8d" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_33e6571d-2d06-4546-85ec-6d57ff8667a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_33e6571d-2d06-4546-85ec-6d57ff8667a0" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets_13691d10-f411-4472-a4fe-1e00cdb3c6e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets_13691d10-f411-4472-a4fe-1e00cdb3c6e0" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_0257086c-01e2-457b-9191-7c1dd748da2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_0257086c-01e2-457b-9191-7c1dd748da2a" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities_9527b7bc-31ab-4e70-8cac-882ec4d84ef3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities_9527b7bc-31ab-4e70-8cac-882ec4d84ef3" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt_afc2fb7b-a003-4dd6-aac6-2427776312ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt_afc2fb7b-a003-4dd6-aac6-2427776312ef" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt_08bab88a-d4dc-45bb-86b1-d70f52e5a1de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesLongTermDebt_08bab88a-d4dc-45bb-86b1-d70f52e5a1de" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther_cd5cf99c-626d-41d4-a7f6-f4832da88f89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther_cd5cf99c-626d-41d4-a7f6-f4832da88f89" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities_83d289dc-dda6-4201-bf65-7ddbb2828a61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities_83d289dc-dda6-4201-bf65-7ddbb2828a61" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_ed047047-68e2-4085-abe9-1663009cc059" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_ed047047-68e2-4085-abe9-1663009cc059" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillExpectedTaxDeductibleAmount_012d3136-4101-4a9d-be16-a57e750e8851" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillExpectedTaxDeductibleAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillExpectedTaxDeductibleAmount_012d3136-4101-4a9d-be16-a57e750e8851" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_86bf3fc3-0eb2-43c9-90b9-a7ce76743e3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_86bf3fc3-0eb2-43c9-90b9-a7ce76743e3b" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_99eea4e3-0bec-4186-a58b-48c70dcc255c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_99eea4e3-0bec-4186-a58b-48c70dcc255c" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_4aa38f25-bb40-400d-8cb3-bcb24e425360" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsPurchaseAccountingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_4aa38f25-bb40-400d-8cb3-bcb24e425360" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_NetLiabilitiesChangePurchaseAccountingAdjustments_da71f837-e9f7-437f-9164-6a6c4be02203" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_NetLiabilitiesChangePurchaseAccountingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_ale_NetLiabilitiesChangePurchaseAccountingAdjustments_da71f837-e9f7-437f-9164-6a6c4be02203" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_BusinessCombinationsFairValueAdjustments_133c2394-273c-4374-8e5b-0ea710d8eeda" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_BusinessCombinationsFairValueAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_ale_BusinessCombinationsFairValueAdjustments_133c2394-273c-4374-8e5b-0ea710d8eeda" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_234b00e3-5b17-497a-9d0f-f119b68e076e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_02744372-90c1-4c17-82c5-473ea8c971b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_234b00e3-5b17-497a-9d0f-f119b68e076e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_aaa9ad15-07ea-438b-a459-2185bcfbcc8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_234b00e3-5b17-497a-9d0f-f119b68e076e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_aaa9ad15-07ea-438b-a459-2185bcfbcc8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_aaa9ad15-07ea-438b-a459-2185bcfbcc8a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_aaa9ad15-07ea-438b-a459-2185bcfbcc8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_aaa9ad15-07ea-438b-a459-2185bcfbcc8a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_655a6203-d127-428d-8a27-b94ad95f5d67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_aaa9ad15-07ea-438b-a459-2185bcfbcc8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_655a6203-d127-428d-8a27-b94ad95f5d67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_NewEnergyMember_2a4091ed-9a2b-4b40-bd44-7348e2c9c2ac" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_NewEnergyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_655a6203-d127-428d-8a27-b94ad95f5d67" xlink:to="loc_ale_NewEnergyMember_2a4091ed-9a2b-4b40-bd44-7348e2c9c2ac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/EquityInvestmentsInvestmentinATCDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#EquityInvestmentsInvestmentinATCDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/EquityInvestmentsInvestmentinATCDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i37ac23e2fcf04c0f9ba5a75cbcb842e9_EquityInvestmentsInvestmentinATCDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_d8d2935d-7116-458d-8cc1-43cf79ec1302" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_dbcdfc80-b58d-469a-abeb-2a660d01c24c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_d8d2935d-7116-458d-8cc1-43cf79ec1302" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_dbcdfc80-b58d-469a-abeb-2a660d01c24c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_AlletesInvestmentInAtcRollForward_5cc450d0-5a24-4108-9d93-d270c7446635" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_AlletesInvestmentInAtcRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_d8d2935d-7116-458d-8cc1-43cf79ec1302" xlink:to="loc_ale_AlletesInvestmentInAtcRollForward_5cc450d0-5a24-4108-9d93-d270c7446635" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_ce23642e-4754-4721-8147-89d25177011a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_AlletesInvestmentInAtcRollForward_5cc450d0-5a24-4108-9d93-d270c7446635" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_ce23642e-4754-4721-8147-89d25177011a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_4950488a-722e-4008-a47f-c1764ff4a6e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_AlletesInvestmentInAtcRollForward_5cc450d0-5a24-4108-9d93-d270c7446635" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_4950488a-722e-4008-a47f-c1764ff4a6e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_4c4a3ed1-52a4-4ecd-b7cb-8d4db587af3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_AlletesInvestmentInAtcRollForward_5cc450d0-5a24-4108-9d93-d270c7446635" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_4c4a3ed1-52a4-4ecd-b7cb-8d4db587af3c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_5a77ae3a-eb48-4d2e-9c9b-a6808c1af3e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_AlletesInvestmentInAtcRollForward_5cc450d0-5a24-4108-9d93-d270c7446635" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_5a77ae3a-eb48-4d2e-9c9b-a6808c1af3e9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_AmortizationfromtheRemeasurementofDeferredIncomeTaxesforEquityMethodInvestments_60b17e79-40e5-4fb0-9375-68e4da99af54" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_AmortizationfromtheRemeasurementofDeferredIncomeTaxesforEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_AlletesInvestmentInAtcRollForward_5cc450d0-5a24-4108-9d93-d270c7446635" xlink:to="loc_ale_AmortizationfromtheRemeasurementofDeferredIncomeTaxesforEquityMethodInvestments_60b17e79-40e5-4fb0-9375-68e4da99af54" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_7d92514f-cc36-4140-bac7-aa2e0565a93d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesApprovedReturnOnEquityPercentage_90b44c23-7425-49dc-b484-75eda02e3c8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesApprovedReturnOnEquityPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_d8d2935d-7116-458d-8cc1-43cf79ec1302" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesApprovedReturnOnEquityPercentage_90b44c23-7425-49dc-b484-75eda02e3c8b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_EquityMethodInvestmentApprovedReturnonCommonEquityIncludingIncentiveAdder_7fb0aa54-50cb-494d-be2b-2aaf29f99c13" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_EquityMethodInvestmentApprovedReturnonCommonEquityIncludingIncentiveAdder"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_d8d2935d-7116-458d-8cc1-43cf79ec1302" xlink:to="loc_ale_EquityMethodInvestmentApprovedReturnonCommonEquityIncludingIncentiveAdder_7fb0aa54-50cb-494d-be2b-2aaf29f99c13" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ApproximateRefundForReversalOfFERCROEOrder_97de9978-e4e6-4bba-b95b-cf23851d6af0" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ApproximateRefundForReversalOfFERCROEOrder"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_d8d2935d-7116-458d-8cc1-43cf79ec1302" xlink:to="loc_ale_ApproximateRefundForReversalOfFERCROEOrder_97de9978-e4e6-4bba-b95b-cf23851d6af0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ApproximateRefundForReversalOfFERCROEOrderALLETEsProportionateShare_e08aa788-211f-493e-8197-fb693a00ad77" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ApproximateRefundForReversalOfFERCROEOrderALLETEsProportionateShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_d8d2935d-7116-458d-8cc1-43cf79ec1302" xlink:to="loc_ale_ApproximateRefundForReversalOfFERCROEOrderALLETEsProportionateShare_e08aa788-211f-493e-8197-fb693a00ad77" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ApproximateAnnualReductionInPretaxIncomeForFERCProposalToLimitIncentiveAdderALLETEsProportionateShare_c955a4f6-732c-4d62-a6b5-b63588627556" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ApproximateAnnualReductionInPretaxIncomeForFERCProposalToLimitIncentiveAdderALLETEsProportionateShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_d8d2935d-7116-458d-8cc1-43cf79ec1302" xlink:to="loc_ale_ApproximateAnnualReductionInPretaxIncomeForFERCProposalToLimitIncentiveAdderALLETEsProportionateShare_c955a4f6-732c-4d62-a6b5-b63588627556" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_BasisPointIncentiveAdder_39c41729-cb76-476a-8388-7dc423abcee0" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_BasisPointIncentiveAdder"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_d8d2935d-7116-458d-8cc1-43cf79ec1302" xlink:to="loc_ale_BasisPointIncentiveAdder_39c41729-cb76-476a-8388-7dc423abcee0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_0afe9876-0ab7-4af7-a9a8-6d9c492922ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_d8d2935d-7116-458d-8cc1-43cf79ec1302" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_0afe9876-0ab7-4af7-a9a8-6d9c492922ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_61e6bd8e-e017-42e7-8819-4f7a24e6fee8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_0afe9876-0ab7-4af7-a9a8-6d9c492922ea" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_61e6bd8e-e017-42e7-8819-4f7a24e6fee8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_61e6bd8e-e017-42e7-8819-4f7a24e6fee8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_61e6bd8e-e017-42e7-8819-4f7a24e6fee8" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_61e6bd8e-e017-42e7-8819-4f7a24e6fee8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_4585039d-a222-4113-9641-768fe38342b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_61e6bd8e-e017-42e7-8819-4f7a24e6fee8" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_4585039d-a222-4113-9641-768fe38342b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ATCMember_9d8cd238-6764-4bb6-98ba-e5c539407738" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ATCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_4585039d-a222-4113-9641-768fe38342b1" xlink:to="loc_ale_ATCMember_9d8cd238-6764-4bb6-98ba-e5c539407738" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_cc659789-0cdb-48d8-8225-f1affc064bfa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_0afe9876-0ab7-4af7-a9a8-6d9c492922ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_cc659789-0cdb-48d8-8225-f1affc064bfa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_cc659789-0cdb-48d8-8225-f1affc064bfa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_cc659789-0cdb-48d8-8225-f1affc064bfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_cc659789-0cdb-48d8-8225-f1affc064bfa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_38cdb715-0524-4a12-b65f-255fc1f63db8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingAxis_cc659789-0cdb-48d8-8225-f1affc064bfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesRegulatoryProceedingDomain_38cdb715-0524-4a12-b65f-255fc1f63db8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/EquityInvestmentsInvestmentinNobles2Details" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#EquityInvestmentsInvestmentinNobles2Details"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/EquityInvestmentsInvestmentinNobles2Details" xlink:type="extended" id="i295671b3759d4db889113b0e52d4a5d7_EquityInvestmentsInvestmentinNobles2Details">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_5a135fd8-8853-400a-a2cc-2318f668be13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_398011b9-a5fd-487e-8f21-c169b2421c3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_5a135fd8-8853-400a-a2cc-2318f668be13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_398011b9-a5fd-487e-8f21-c169b2421c3c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GeneratingCapacityCounterpartyOwnedMW_279523cb-6553-4371-8dfa-cb3451a8f064" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GeneratingCapacityCounterpartyOwnedMW"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_5a135fd8-8853-400a-a2cc-2318f668be13" xlink:to="loc_ale_GeneratingCapacityCounterpartyOwnedMW_279523cb-6553-4371-8dfa-cb3451a8f064" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_LongtermContractforPurchaseofElectricPowerTermofContractYears_8a0776b4-8b35-45b4-b72f-377afc0257b5" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_LongtermContractforPurchaseofElectricPowerTermofContractYears"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_5a135fd8-8853-400a-a2cc-2318f668be13" xlink:to="loc_ale_LongtermContractforPurchaseofElectricPowerTermofContractYears_8a0776b4-8b35-45b4-b72f-377afc0257b5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_3c935016-f4ca-4e18-b334-44ec2517d6c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_5a135fd8-8853-400a-a2cc-2318f668be13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_3c935016-f4ca-4e18-b334-44ec2517d6c3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_e5daff5f-bcff-44e7-b1db-572331ecb6d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_5a135fd8-8853-400a-a2cc-2318f668be13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_e5daff5f-bcff-44e7-b1db-572331ecb6d4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_6a6cfecc-168c-430e-8df4-f8a2fa6425d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_5a135fd8-8853-400a-a2cc-2318f668be13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_6a6cfecc-168c-430e-8df4-f8a2fa6425d7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_ff1e9085-4372-40f4-83bc-1202dd68b93b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_5a135fd8-8853-400a-a2cc-2318f668be13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_ff1e9085-4372-40f4-83bc-1202dd68b93b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_75666446-7aeb-4ebc-9d6d-0480ab4373d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_5a135fd8-8853-400a-a2cc-2318f668be13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_75666446-7aeb-4ebc-9d6d-0480ab4373d0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_57a8f977-e71d-4afc-a14d-c4e70ec59037" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_5a135fd8-8853-400a-a2cc-2318f668be13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_57a8f977-e71d-4afc-a14d-c4e70ec59037" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GenerationTypeAxis_3d6db1cb-6203-45b7-adbd-fcba0a4d0988" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GenerationTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_57a8f977-e71d-4afc-a14d-c4e70ec59037" xlink:to="loc_ale_GenerationTypeAxis_3d6db1cb-6203-45b7-adbd-fcba0a4d0988" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GenerationTypeDomain_3d6db1cb-6203-45b7-adbd-fcba0a4d0988_default" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GenerationTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_ale_GenerationTypeAxis_3d6db1cb-6203-45b7-adbd-fcba0a4d0988" xlink:to="loc_ale_GenerationTypeDomain_3d6db1cb-6203-45b7-adbd-fcba0a4d0988_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GenerationTypeDomain_17791232-52e8-45ec-8938-dda9b100f456" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GenerationTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_ale_GenerationTypeAxis_3d6db1cb-6203-45b7-adbd-fcba0a4d0988" xlink:to="loc_ale_GenerationTypeDomain_17791232-52e8-45ec-8938-dda9b100f456" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_WindTurbineGeneratorsMember_7d72e415-58ca-45d9-96e9-a4d01b5ad01d" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_WindTurbineGeneratorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GenerationTypeDomain_17791232-52e8-45ec-8938-dda9b100f456" xlink:to="loc_ale_WindTurbineGeneratorsMember_7d72e415-58ca-45d9-96e9-a4d01b5ad01d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4ba32a6e-9a13-4639-b32f-3da1769d59d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_57a8f977-e71d-4afc-a14d-c4e70ec59037" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4ba32a6e-9a13-4639-b32f-3da1769d59d8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4ba32a6e-9a13-4639-b32f-3da1769d59d8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4ba32a6e-9a13-4639-b32f-3da1769d59d8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4ba32a6e-9a13-4639-b32f-3da1769d59d8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_432cd67a-b1f2-4db4-bac0-a1b3358f473c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_4ba32a6e-9a13-4639-b32f-3da1769d59d8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_432cd67a-b1f2-4db4-bac0-a1b3358f473c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_TenaskaMember_29fa5ec3-6b96-40e8-9273-7f316780ed5c" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_TenaskaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_432cd67a-b1f2-4db4-bac0-a1b3358f473c" xlink:to="loc_ale_TenaskaMember_29fa5ec3-6b96-40e8-9273-7f316780ed5c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_e5794c1f-73e5-4f48-8ea3-eb0d766f777f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_57a8f977-e71d-4afc-a14d-c4e70ec59037" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_e5794c1f-73e5-4f48-8ea3-eb0d766f777f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_e5794c1f-73e5-4f48-8ea3-eb0d766f777f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_e5794c1f-73e5-4f48-8ea3-eb0d766f777f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_e5794c1f-73e5-4f48-8ea3-eb0d766f777f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_a0f13dd1-91fa-4b3b-af11-5bb5d76fbb3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_e5794c1f-73e5-4f48-8ea3-eb0d766f777f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_a0f13dd1-91fa-4b3b-af11-5bb5d76fbb3f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_3f8ea3e4-bb55-4cbd-9f2e-6d1075acdab7" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MinnesotaPowerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_a0f13dd1-91fa-4b3b-af11-5bb5d76fbb3f" xlink:to="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_3f8ea3e4-bb55-4cbd-9f2e-6d1075acdab7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis_3f0f78e9-2b03-48d5-8ce7-6f91c6b6aa9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_57a8f977-e71d-4afc-a14d-c4e70ec59037" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis_3f0f78e9-2b03-48d5-8ce7-6f91c6b6aa9f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain_3f0f78e9-2b03-48d5-8ce7-6f91c6b6aa9f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis_3f0f78e9-2b03-48d5-8ce7-6f91c6b6aa9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain_3f0f78e9-2b03-48d5-8ce7-6f91c6b6aa9f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain_9ea33b1b-4b78-4f9e-a47e-1f164bac105f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis_3f0f78e9-2b03-48d5-8ce7-6f91c6b6aa9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain_9ea33b1b-4b78-4f9e-a47e-1f164bac105f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_TenaskaPPAMember_ce66e4de-29f8-4e50-9c1d-9adacad5a217" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_TenaskaPPAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain_9ea33b1b-4b78-4f9e-a47e-1f164bac105f" xlink:to="loc_ale_TenaskaPPAMember_ce66e4de-29f8-4e50-9c1d-9adacad5a217" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_fe02dfeb-2957-4d90-91de-e427ca5617a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_57a8f977-e71d-4afc-a14d-c4e70ec59037" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_fe02dfeb-2957-4d90-91de-e427ca5617a6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_fe02dfeb-2957-4d90-91de-e427ca5617a6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_fe02dfeb-2957-4d90-91de-e427ca5617a6" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_fe02dfeb-2957-4d90-91de-e427ca5617a6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8224cb6a-d5e1-44ce-acbe-b65cd02abdc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_fe02dfeb-2957-4d90-91de-e427ca5617a6" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8224cb6a-d5e1-44ce-acbe-b65cd02abdc0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_Nobles2Member_e1017c89-89a7-4024-bbab-c7ab24ab64a0" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_Nobles2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8224cb6a-d5e1-44ce-acbe-b65cd02abdc0" xlink:to="loc_ale_Nobles2Member_e1017c89-89a7-4024-bbab-c7ab24ab64a0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/FairValueRecurringFairValueMeasuresDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#FairValueRecurringFairValueMeasuresDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/FairValueRecurringFairValueMeasuresDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4d0bc36bc60845898c391e345835b3cf_FairValueRecurringFairValueMeasuresDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_7edee9d2-3eee-47a3-a343-ed28ca2a9b26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_48bcc2c3-d542-4034-8721-870b9fc31e6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_7edee9d2-3eee-47a3-a343-ed28ca2a9b26" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_48bcc2c3-d542-4034-8721-870b9fc31e6e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_874dc126-1739-4346-8f44-aa2761406a4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_48bcc2c3-d542-4034-8721-870b9fc31e6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_874dc126-1739-4346-8f44-aa2761406a4d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFVNINoncurrent_0bcadedc-b774-46b6-b7eb-333d449b4294" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFVNINoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_874dc126-1739-4346-8f44-aa2761406a4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFVNINoncurrent_0bcadedc-b774-46b6-b7eb-333d449b4294" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent_b1f4d78b-8d6a-42b7-bb62-40195c9d9581" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_874dc126-1739-4346-8f44-aa2761406a4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent_b1f4d78b-8d6a-42b7-bb62-40195c9d9581" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestrictedAssetsNoncurrent_757cd3cc-ca0b-47dc-a3a1-f198c9a7f4ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherRestrictedAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_874dc126-1739-4346-8f44-aa2761406a4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestrictedAssetsNoncurrent_757cd3cc-ca0b-47dc-a3a1-f198c9a7f4ec" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_54263162-bb06-4b4f-bc28-69598902aa76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_48bcc2c3-d542-4034-8721-870b9fc31e6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_54263162-bb06-4b4f-bc28-69598902aa76" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue_7e594e95-83d7-4754-9ab6-2b21c3b9b7bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_48bcc2c3-d542-4034-8721-870b9fc31e6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue_7e594e95-83d7-4754-9ab6-2b21c3b9b7bc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneYearThroughThreeYearsFairValue_28c864aa-9c42-4728-8847-01b82a1337bf" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneYearThroughThreeYearsFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_48bcc2c3-d542-4034-8721-870b9fc31e6e" xlink:to="loc_ale_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneYearThroughThreeYearsFairValue_28c864aa-9c42-4728-8847-01b82a1337bf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterThreeYearsThroughFiveYearsFairValue_6ab69453-d690-47b7-affd-dba63f3e3667" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterThreeYearsThroughFiveYearsFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_48bcc2c3-d542-4034-8721-870b9fc31e6e" xlink:to="loc_ale_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterThreeYearsThroughFiveYearsFairValue_6ab69453-d690-47b7-affd-dba63f3e3667" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveYearsFairValue_1fb6cdce-bbe0-4d55-8758-876b1709eee6" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveYearsFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_48bcc2c3-d542-4034-8721-870b9fc31e6e" xlink:to="loc_ale_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveYearsFairValue_1fb6cdce-bbe0-4d55-8758-876b1709eee6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_f214c9eb-9cdc-4c70-bc66-04d7010a39e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_7edee9d2-3eee-47a3-a343-ed28ca2a9b26" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_f214c9eb-9cdc-4c70-bc66-04d7010a39e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_DeferredCompensationFairValueDisclosure_d871bb34-0a7b-415c-9211-49b613b45dc0" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_DeferredCompensationFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_f214c9eb-9cdc-4c70-bc66-04d7010a39e0" xlink:to="loc_ale_DeferredCompensationFairValueDisclosure_d871bb34-0a7b-415c-9211-49b613b45dc0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_a2e42f74-9b87-4e1e-b3f9-bdb6de58460f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_f214c9eb-9cdc-4c70-bc66-04d7010a39e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_a2e42f74-9b87-4e1e-b3f9-bdb6de58460f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f8291080-88b5-453a-b516-0d51a2f129b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_7edee9d2-3eee-47a3-a343-ed28ca2a9b26" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f8291080-88b5-453a-b516-0d51a2f129b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_6c25a530-2386-480a-8073-17dcc1895c66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f8291080-88b5-453a-b516-0d51a2f129b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_6c25a530-2386-480a-8073-17dcc1895c66" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_6c25a530-2386-480a-8073-17dcc1895c66_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_6c25a530-2386-480a-8073-17dcc1895c66" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_6c25a530-2386-480a-8073-17dcc1895c66_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_220d2c2e-6660-4e31-ae80-04da1245bd33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_6c25a530-2386-480a-8073-17dcc1895c66" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_220d2c2e-6660-4e31-ae80-04da1245bd33" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_b47e4d68-0397-42ae-a3ed-41ddfe3c8c95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_220d2c2e-6660-4e31-ae80-04da1245bd33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_b47e4d68-0397-42ae-a3ed-41ddfe3c8c95" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_dfc2201e-3d47-45db-96a9-df36a4476826" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f8291080-88b5-453a-b516-0d51a2f129b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_dfc2201e-3d47-45db-96a9-df36a4476826" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_dfc2201e-3d47-45db-96a9-df36a4476826_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_dfc2201e-3d47-45db-96a9-df36a4476826" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_dfc2201e-3d47-45db-96a9-df36a4476826_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_453a6262-b757-4647-8814-d6d2c361b987" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_dfc2201e-3d47-45db-96a9-df36a4476826" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_453a6262-b757-4647-8814-d6d2c361b987" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_6957e562-9a83-407d-955b-7026c649f9c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_453a6262-b757-4647-8814-d6d2c361b987" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_6957e562-9a83-407d-955b-7026c649f9c8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_70fee34f-7a9d-4f94-bb08-a46656bcabb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_453a6262-b757-4647-8814-d6d2c361b987" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_70fee34f-7a9d-4f94-bb08-a46656bcabb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_c5230ebb-9732-4e90-8060-73da7ba96fe2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_453a6262-b757-4647-8814-d6d2c361b987" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_c5230ebb-9732-4e90-8060-73da7ba96fe2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/FairValueFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsandAssetsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#FairValueFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsandAssetsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/FairValueFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsandAssetsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i41f188b445304dff95d4286da51762fa_FairValueFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsandAssetsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_7337dac0-0796-4fea-bfc0-f36704f3fb0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_faa6fd87-35cf-4ea2-899b-05fecb7599a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_7337dac0-0796-4fea-bfc0-f36704f3fb0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_faa6fd87-35cf-4ea2-899b-05fecb7599a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_96773ae9-c425-4187-81d2-a71ea37aac2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_7337dac0-0796-4fea-bfc0-f36704f3fb0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_96773ae9-c425-4187-81d2-a71ea37aac2b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_c9deed62-e368-4f09-8485-b8bd3350baf2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_7337dac0-0796-4fea-bfc0-f36704f3fb0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_c9deed62-e368-4f09-8485-b8bd3350baf2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_c3ccd1a3-0ad0-4ee7-b1ef-a83bb386e5cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_c9deed62-e368-4f09-8485-b8bd3350baf2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_c3ccd1a3-0ad0-4ee7-b1ef-a83bb386e5cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_c3ccd1a3-0ad0-4ee7-b1ef-a83bb386e5cc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_c3ccd1a3-0ad0-4ee7-b1ef-a83bb386e5cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_c3ccd1a3-0ad0-4ee7-b1ef-a83bb386e5cc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_4f2db661-b3d7-4a8e-9541-78e6f3664b12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_c3ccd1a3-0ad0-4ee7-b1ef-a83bb386e5cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_4f2db661-b3d7-4a8e-9541-78e6f3664b12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_ed34b3af-aee5-4b35-ab57-d317e1f23574" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_4f2db661-b3d7-4a8e-9541-78e6f3664b12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_ed34b3af-aee5-4b35-ab57-d317e1f23574" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_aae60079-93f6-40f8-b160-844a8c2f1e63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_c9deed62-e368-4f09-8485-b8bd3350baf2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_aae60079-93f6-40f8-b160-844a8c2f1e63" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_aae60079-93f6-40f8-b160-844a8c2f1e63_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_aae60079-93f6-40f8-b160-844a8c2f1e63" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_aae60079-93f6-40f8-b160-844a8c2f1e63_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d0c2a9a4-8783-4626-821e-f322e7772420" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_aae60079-93f6-40f8-b160-844a8c2f1e63" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d0c2a9a4-8783-4626-821e-f322e7772420" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember_72fada3f-9625-4029-ba87-45977e838eb8" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d0c2a9a4-8783-4626-821e-f322e7772420" xlink:to="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember_72fada3f-9625-4029-ba87-45977e838eb8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/ShortTermandLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ShortTermandLongTermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/ShortTermandLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i97ac51c3390e4dcfb47e30d4bd70eb16_ShortTermandLongTermDebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_DebtCurrentGross_29c07cb3-a800-42d8-ac26-71a282c74e38" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_DebtCurrentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_ale_DebtCurrentGross_29c07cb3-a800-42d8-ac26-71a282c74e38" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpenseDebtCurrent_a2d0a25a-0ffc-40dc-af42-efc622e00acf" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpenseDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_ale_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpenseDebtCurrent_a2d0a25a-0ffc-40dc-af42-efc622e00acf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtCurrent_ce0f4780-dcad-41dd-b5bd-9aa00abc3b9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtCurrent_ce0f4780-dcad-41dd-b5bd-9aa00abc3b9f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_39808dfb-9743-498d-955e-c671275f6abd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_39808dfb-9743-498d-955e-c671275f6abd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpenseLongTermDebtExcludingCurrentMaturities_4bc1d0e9-6e87-4272-b8a4-a814a4e998df" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpenseLongTermDebtExcludingCurrentMaturities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_ale_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpenseLongTermDebtExcludingCurrentMaturities_4bc1d0e9-6e87-4272-b8a4-a814a4e998df" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_d0b03b82-5c47-432c-8e0b-51bcdd66bcda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_d0b03b82-5c47-432c-8e0b-51bcdd66bcda" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_DebtLongTermandShortTermCombinedAmountGross_374cb6e1-1fb9-4633-9057-75a30a5aaecb" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_DebtLongTermandShortTermCombinedAmountGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_ale_DebtLongTermandShortTermCombinedAmountGross_374cb6e1-1fb9-4633-9057-75a30a5aaecb" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_f989e592-8892-45f4-bfaf-61b25ab48cd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_f989e592-8892-45f4-bfaf-61b25ab48cd7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount_070a92ca-583e-48a5-b12b-f86cd5bdd72e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount_070a92ca-583e-48a5-b12b-f86cd5bdd72e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_c0e414cb-9fe8-4b14-80e4-24c3857bf074" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_c0e414cb-9fe8-4b14-80e4-24c3857bf074" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent_d3f33de9-9f14-4581-897e-bcf23bc5e293" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent_d3f33de9-9f14-4581-897e-bcf23bc5e293" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_UnsecuredTermLoanAmount_7a6aa5d4-2cc1-4b8d-a6cf-82c4c92fc262" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_UnsecuredTermLoanAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_ale_UnsecuredTermLoanAmount_7a6aa5d4-2cc1-4b8d-a6cf-82c4c92fc262" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis_81cc1aff-4b6d-43e9-8fd0-523f19113792" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis_81cc1aff-4b6d-43e9-8fd0-523f19113792" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_cf499fb2-b0b6-4b4c-a3b6-969f73ab0a6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_cf499fb2-b0b6-4b4c-a3b6-969f73ab0a6a" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfFirstMortgageBond_a5e7143d-4b72-45a9-882c-aa49947adcb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfFirstMortgageBond"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfFirstMortgageBond_a5e7143d-4b72-45a9-882c-aa49947adcb0" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_d09af882-7ce5-42be-8fc8-c5fad4edd246" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_d09af882-7ce5-42be-8fc8-c5fad4edd246" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5cc358a3-ceaf-4e90-91a5-3822cafda859" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_874f4474-a4d6-460e-940f-bbb026176aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5cc358a3-ceaf-4e90-91a5-3822cafda859" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1f9ffce8-431a-411a-a22f-34a4e1402f02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5cc358a3-ceaf-4e90-91a5-3822cafda859" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1f9ffce8-431a-411a-a22f-34a4e1402f02" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1f9ffce8-431a-411a-a22f-34a4e1402f02_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1f9ffce8-431a-411a-a22f-34a4e1402f02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1f9ffce8-431a-411a-a22f-34a4e1402f02_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_cb26e6bb-2d2b-465d-9215-b9b558f33a62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1f9ffce8-431a-411a-a22f-34a4e1402f02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_cb26e6bb-2d2b-465d-9215-b9b558f33a62" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_846fc9d4-0020-4e44-a892-71b73b633d05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_cb26e6bb-2d2b-465d-9215-b9b558f33a62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_846fc9d4-0020-4e44-a892-71b73b633d05" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_FebruaryUnsecuredTermLoanTerminatedInApril2022Member_cdc95906-ef4e-4e5a-b644-e0a3027ababb" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_FebruaryUnsecuredTermLoanTerminatedInApril2022Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_cb26e6bb-2d2b-465d-9215-b9b558f33a62" xlink:to="loc_ale_FebruaryUnsecuredTermLoanTerminatedInApril2022Member_cdc95906-ef4e-4e5a-b644-e0a3027ababb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MarchUnsecuredTermLoanDueIn2023Member_758f1477-5f58-4e32-a2fd-ef641e3c92f7" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MarchUnsecuredTermLoanDueIn2023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_cb26e6bb-2d2b-465d-9215-b9b558f33a62" xlink:to="loc_ale_MarchUnsecuredTermLoanDueIn2023Member_758f1477-5f58-4e32-a2fd-ef641e3c92f7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ALLETEBonds454DueAugust2032Member_4c32814a-fab3-4913-a956-1da405d270c8" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ALLETEBonds454DueAugust2032Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_cb26e6bb-2d2b-465d-9215-b9b558f33a62" xlink:to="loc_ale_ALLETEBonds454DueAugust2032Member_4c32814a-fab3-4913-a956-1da405d270c8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/ShortTermandLongTermDebtFinancialCovenantsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ShortTermandLongTermDebtFinancialCovenantsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/ShortTermandLongTermDebtFinancialCovenantsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia50c76df96eb4f3eb56ec5bcec1da64c_ShortTermandLongTermDebtFinancialCovenantsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5f60e904-6771-401d-b08a-5401deae918e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_DebtInstrumentRequiredIndebtednessToTotalCapitalRatio_2ffc2896-7cdc-45f8-86f9-7da5dc43c7fa" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_DebtInstrumentRequiredIndebtednessToTotalCapitalRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5f60e904-6771-401d-b08a-5401deae918e" xlink:to="loc_ale_DebtInstrumentRequiredIndebtednessToTotalCapitalRatio_2ffc2896-7cdc-45f8-86f9-7da5dc43c7fa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_DebtInstrumentActualIndebtednessToTotalCapitalRatio_a4c3e018-d6b0-40fb-ada7-9f8170a0f9bb" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_DebtInstrumentActualIndebtednessToTotalCapitalRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5f60e904-6771-401d-b08a-5401deae918e" xlink:to="loc_ale_DebtInstrumentActualIndebtednessToTotalCapitalRatio_a4c3e018-d6b0-40fb-ada7-9f8170a0f9bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_774b9b3b-ec28-4dd7-a180-0f613676df8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5f60e904-6771-401d-b08a-5401deae918e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_774b9b3b-ec28-4dd7-a180-0f613676df8f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_93df4baf-a02a-4fed-872f-5eb322693ba8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_774b9b3b-ec28-4dd7-a180-0f613676df8f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_93df4baf-a02a-4fed-872f-5eb322693ba8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_93df4baf-a02a-4fed-872f-5eb322693ba8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_93df4baf-a02a-4fed-872f-5eb322693ba8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_93df4baf-a02a-4fed-872f-5eb322693ba8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_5fcaa990-a248-449a-8f34-b5a3ea38e1eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_93df4baf-a02a-4fed-872f-5eb322693ba8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_5fcaa990-a248-449a-8f34-b5a3ea38e1eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_33b5e628-4c1e-45be-b4b8-4e6bbfaf8926" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_5fcaa990-a248-449a-8f34-b5a3ea38e1eb" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_33b5e628-4c1e-45be-b4b8-4e6bbfaf8926" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesPowerPurchaseAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesPowerPurchaseAgreementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesPowerPurchaseAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2ae4661b95304bc5903597a61f0243b7_CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesPowerPurchaseAgreementsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerLineItems_03869657-d94b-4f4e-9ffd-a7a8e3280a38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAmountOfLongTermDebtOrLeaseObligationOutstanding_a0a4b304-7e0a-4d75-9851-273fd7fd68ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAmountOfLongTermDebtOrLeaseObligationOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerLineItems_03869657-d94b-4f4e-9ffd-a7a8e3280a38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAmountOfLongTermDebtOrLeaseObligationOutstanding_a0a4b304-7e0a-4d75-9851-273fd7fd68ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpensePurchasedPowerUnderLongTermContracts_96f05507-3dec-45dd-8492-a8dbfa4be3f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpensePurchasedPowerUnderLongTermContracts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerLineItems_03869657-d94b-4f4e-9ffd-a7a8e3280a38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpensePurchasedPowerUnderLongTermContracts_96f05507-3dec-45dd-8492-a8dbfa4be3f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerShareOfPlantOutputBeingPurchased_b9044ead-9cbf-405f-9535-561033e946c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerShareOfPlantOutputBeingPurchased"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerLineItems_03869657-d94b-4f4e-9ffd-a7a8e3280a38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerShareOfPlantOutputBeingPurchased_b9044ead-9cbf-405f-9535-561033e946c8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerInterestIncludedInContractCharges_15405022-a956-49cf-9c0b-ab533de08b1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerInterestIncludedInContractCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerLineItems_03869657-d94b-4f4e-9ffd-a7a8e3280a38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerInterestIncludedInContractCharges_15405022-a956-49cf-9c0b-ab533de08b1e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractsForPurchaseOfElectricPowerTable_5eee6770-d58d-4d1e-bb3c-07f5854437c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermContractsForPurchaseOfElectricPowerTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerLineItems_03869657-d94b-4f4e-9ffd-a7a8e3280a38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractsForPurchaseOfElectricPowerTable_5eee6770-d58d-4d1e-bb3c-07f5854437c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_35ad1347-f349-4bbd-b178-7bc756e65d33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractsForPurchaseOfElectricPowerTable_5eee6770-d58d-4d1e-bb3c-07f5854437c7" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_35ad1347-f349-4bbd-b178-7bc756e65d33" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_35ad1347-f349-4bbd-b178-7bc756e65d33_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_35ad1347-f349-4bbd-b178-7bc756e65d33" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_35ad1347-f349-4bbd-b178-7bc756e65d33_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_77be3604-3b49-4093-bdae-87fc6f9d6dfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_35ad1347-f349-4bbd-b178-7bc756e65d33" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_77be3604-3b49-4093-bdae-87fc6f9d6dfe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_SquareButteMember_e9f41a9e-bef3-4649-9080-97cfa9d5a5e6" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_SquareButteMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_77be3604-3b49-4093-bdae-87fc6f9d6dfe" xlink:to="loc_ale_SquareButteMember_e9f41a9e-bef3-4649-9080-97cfa9d5a5e6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MinnkotaPowerMember_f0429811-c4c8-4b46-8b13-ffae18821a0a" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MinnkotaPowerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_77be3604-3b49-4093-bdae-87fc6f9d6dfe" xlink:to="loc_ale_MinnkotaPowerMember_f0429811-c4c8-4b46-8b13-ffae18821a0a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis_f69db417-51e3-41af-adaa-6a8b08dd6baf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractsForPurchaseOfElectricPowerTable_5eee6770-d58d-4d1e-bb3c-07f5854437c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis_f69db417-51e3-41af-adaa-6a8b08dd6baf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain_f69db417-51e3-41af-adaa-6a8b08dd6baf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis_f69db417-51e3-41af-adaa-6a8b08dd6baf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain_f69db417-51e3-41af-adaa-6a8b08dd6baf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain_5dbfbf54-89a1-4c59-bcac-b7db7b8f2a7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerAxis_f69db417-51e3-41af-adaa-6a8b08dd6baf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain_5dbfbf54-89a1-4c59-bcac-b7db7b8f2a7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_SquareButtePpaMember_017af7d3-debf-4b8d-b4ce-19ad284930a4" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_SquareButtePpaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractForPurchaseOfElectricPowerDomain_5dbfbf54-89a1-4c59-bcac-b7db7b8f2a7b" xlink:to="loc_ale_SquareButtePpaMember_017af7d3-debf-4b8d-b4ce-19ad284930a4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_1544cc39-58bc-4258-acb6-e7327579ac4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractsForPurchaseOfElectricPowerTable_5eee6770-d58d-4d1e-bb3c-07f5854437c7" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_1544cc39-58bc-4258-acb6-e7327579ac4c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1544cc39-58bc-4258-acb6-e7327579ac4c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_1544cc39-58bc-4258-acb6-e7327579ac4c" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_1544cc39-58bc-4258-acb6-e7327579ac4c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b938e519-532e-463b-90f9-611812e05121" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_1544cc39-58bc-4258-acb6-e7327579ac4c" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b938e519-532e-463b-90f9-611812e05121" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_f941298f-2604-459a-8f43-bc8bf9f90042" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MinnesotaPowerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b938e519-532e-463b-90f9-611812e05121" xlink:to="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_f941298f-2604-459a-8f43-bc8bf9f90042" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityAxisAxis_fe3a2312-d1af-4aa6-9113-0ff80d991c6f" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GeneratingFacilityAxisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractsForPurchaseOfElectricPowerTable_5eee6770-d58d-4d1e-bb3c-07f5854437c7" xlink:to="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityAxisAxis_fe3a2312-d1af-4aa6-9113-0ff80d991c6f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_fe3a2312-d1af-4aa6-9113-0ff80d991c6f_default" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityAxisAxis_fe3a2312-d1af-4aa6-9113-0ff80d991c6f" xlink:to="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_fe3a2312-d1af-4aa6-9113-0ff80d991c6f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_ff37604d-18d0-4a3e-a15a-ba0a4cb2ba0f" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityAxisAxis_fe3a2312-d1af-4aa6-9113-0ff80d991c6f" xlink:to="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_ff37604d-18d0-4a3e-a15a-ba0a4cb2ba0f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_SquareButteCoalFiredUnitMember_a8b11683-02ac-4456-b010-466a2142943f" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_SquareButteCoalFiredUnitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GeneratingFacilityUnitNameDomain_ff37604d-18d0-4a3e-a15a-ba0a4cb2ba0f" xlink:to="loc_ale_SquareButteCoalFiredUnitMember_a8b11683-02ac-4456-b010-466a2142943f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerAxis_f5b83c55-6b70-437f-ad4c-71f16dcf38a6" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermContractsForPurchaseOfElectricPowerTable_5eee6770-d58d-4d1e-bb3c-07f5854437c7" xlink:to="loc_ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerAxis_f5b83c55-6b70-437f-ad4c-71f16dcf38a6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerDomain_f5b83c55-6b70-437f-ad4c-71f16dcf38a6_default" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerAxis_f5b83c55-6b70-437f-ad4c-71f16dcf38a6" xlink:to="loc_ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerDomain_f5b83c55-6b70-437f-ad4c-71f16dcf38a6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerDomain_57299f39-8e20-4b44-9cda-9a3108725c97" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerAxis_f5b83c55-6b70-437f-ad4c-71f16dcf38a6" xlink:to="loc_ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerDomain_57299f39-8e20-4b44-9cda-9a3108725c97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MinnkotaSalesAgreementMember_15ec587f-83b4-43dd-8d7e-feb053351e3c" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MinnkotaSalesAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_LongtermContractsforSaleofElectricPowerDomain_57299f39-8e20-4b44-9cda-9a3108725c97" xlink:to="loc_ale_MinnkotaSalesAgreementMember_15ec587f-83b4-43dd-8d7e-feb053351e3c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesCoalRailandShippingContractsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesCoalRailandShippingContractsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesCoalRailandShippingContractsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i5c76d9d7aedb4255bc2086c97415e541_CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesCoalRailandShippingContractsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationLineItems_9b224ff2-107d-45e8-b263-28b452164960" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationTable_da11e1e2-cac8-4518-9401-82212e6babfb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationLineItems_9b224ff2-107d-45e8-b263-28b452164960" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationTable_da11e1e2-cac8-4518-9401-82212e6babfb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_fd080efa-f5fe-42b3-82f0-f24e88197468" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationTable_da11e1e2-cac8-4518-9401-82212e6babfb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_fd080efa-f5fe-42b3-82f0-f24e88197468" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnconditionalPurchaseObligationCategoryOfGoodsOrServicesAcquiredDomain_fd080efa-f5fe-42b3-82f0-f24e88197468_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnconditionalPurchaseObligationCategoryOfGoodsOrServicesAcquiredDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_fd080efa-f5fe-42b3-82f0-f24e88197468" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnconditionalPurchaseObligationCategoryOfGoodsOrServicesAcquiredDomain_fd080efa-f5fe-42b3-82f0-f24e88197468_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnconditionalPurchaseObligationCategoryOfGoodsOrServicesAcquiredDomain_71db9ae5-b92a-4df7-8fe7-8df8bc86be6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_UnconditionalPurchaseObligationCategoryOfGoodsOrServicesAcquiredDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis_fd080efa-f5fe-42b3-82f0-f24e88197468" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnconditionalPurchaseObligationCategoryOfGoodsOrServicesAcquiredDomain_71db9ae5-b92a-4df7-8fe7-8df8bc86be6a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_048c33e9-a4e5-498f-a2c1-0c75222173c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationTable_da11e1e2-cac8-4518-9401-82212e6babfb" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_048c33e9-a4e5-498f-a2c1-0c75222173c0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_048c33e9-a4e5-498f-a2c1-0c75222173c0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_048c33e9-a4e5-498f-a2c1-0c75222173c0" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_048c33e9-a4e5-498f-a2c1-0c75222173c0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_fc59a248-d703-4ee3-b822-febce689a00a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_048c33e9-a4e5-498f-a2c1-0c75222173c0" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_fc59a248-d703-4ee3-b822-febce689a00a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_6db2ccd5-8df1-446e-8779-5012dedc0a7d" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MinnesotaPowerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_fc59a248-d703-4ee3-b822-febce689a00a" xlink:to="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_6db2ccd5-8df1-446e-8779-5012dedc0a7d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesEnvironmentalMattersDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesEnvironmentalMattersDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesEnvironmentalMattersDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic087bc4c2b8f4856abf7f1a63d835db3_CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesEnvironmentalMattersDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_EnvironmentalMattersLineItems_420313f4-7805-40de-acf2-4e5b84052daa" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_EnvironmentalMattersLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyLossExposureNotAccruedBestEstimate_1084a687-45eb-410d-8b10-304f932802de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SiteContingencyLossExposureNotAccruedBestEstimate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_EnvironmentalMattersLineItems_420313f4-7805-40de-acf2-4e5b84052daa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SiteContingencyLossExposureNotAccruedBestEstimate_1084a687-45eb-410d-8b10-304f932802de" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ExpectedPeriodforCostsofCompliance_f4e235c2-bf13-4bf7-b3b2-c2f9d395e4e3" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ExpectedPeriodforCostsofCompliance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_EnvironmentalMattersLineItems_420313f4-7805-40de-acf2-4e5b84052daa" xlink:to="loc_ale_ExpectedPeriodforCostsofCompliance_f4e235c2-bf13-4bf7-b3b2-c2f9d395e4e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies_6630cb8a-04ed-4983-a0b5-911935ad4ed1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_EnvironmentalMattersLineItems_420313f4-7805-40de-acf2-4e5b84052daa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies_6630cb8a-04ed-4983-a0b5-911935ad4ed1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_EnvironmentalMattersTable_be6dbd19-5048-46a8-9f89-1d7d772043b3" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_EnvironmentalMattersTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_ale_EnvironmentalMattersLineItems_420313f4-7805-40de-acf2-4e5b84052daa" xlink:to="loc_ale_EnvironmentalMattersTable_be6dbd19-5048-46a8-9f89-1d7d772043b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis_1371a4c0-b970-4f8a-a626-daae24110530" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ale_EnvironmentalMattersTable_be6dbd19-5048-46a8-9f89-1d7d772043b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis_1371a4c0-b970-4f8a-a626-daae24110530" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyDomain_1371a4c0-b970-4f8a-a626-daae24110530_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis_1371a4c0-b970-4f8a-a626-daae24110530" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyDomain_1371a4c0-b970-4f8a-a626-daae24110530_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyDomain_b9dfd400-c436-496f-bc4e-6b5e00ed0a82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis_1371a4c0-b970-4f8a-a626-daae24110530" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyDomain_b9dfd400-c436-496f-bc4e-6b5e00ed0a82" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CoalCombustionResidualsMember_3d7d488e-8991-468d-96f3-1524f37a1d0d" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CoalCombustionResidualsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyDomain_b9dfd400-c436-496f-bc4e-6b5e00ed0a82" xlink:to="loc_ale_CoalCombustionResidualsMember_3d7d488e-8991-468d-96f3-1524f37a1d0d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ManufacturedGasPlantMember_7a05e34f-0064-477f-9108-435dadf774b6" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ManufacturedGasPlantMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyDomain_b9dfd400-c436-496f-bc4e-6b5e00ed0a82" xlink:to="loc_ale_ManufacturedGasPlantMember_7a05e34f-0064-477f-9108-435dadf774b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_39fc991a-c400-48e0-bb7b-5f8a647a6b0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ale_EnvironmentalMattersTable_be6dbd19-5048-46a8-9f89-1d7d772043b3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_39fc991a-c400-48e0-bb7b-5f8a647a6b0b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_39fc991a-c400-48e0-bb7b-5f8a647a6b0b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_39fc991a-c400-48e0-bb7b-5f8a647a6b0b" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_39fc991a-c400-48e0-bb7b-5f8a647a6b0b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_effbc6b2-06a9-4c08-8368-d3f64adf3130" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_39fc991a-c400-48e0-bb7b-5f8a647a6b0b" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_effbc6b2-06a9-4c08-8368-d3f64adf3130" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_c765d5d3-c6fb-4cff-9949-d7ae586540af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_effbc6b2-06a9-4c08-8368-d3f64adf3130" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_c765d5d3-c6fb-4cff-9949-d7ae586540af" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_ce59ebef-fc8c-4696-89dc-00e4c928dbf0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_effbc6b2-06a9-4c08-8368-d3f64adf3130" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_ce59ebef-fc8c-4696-89dc-00e4c928dbf0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_15b000d9-146f-4488-b492-eb656bb42dc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ale_EnvironmentalMattersTable_be6dbd19-5048-46a8-9f89-1d7d772043b3" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_15b000d9-146f-4488-b492-eb656bb42dc6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_15b000d9-146f-4488-b492-eb656bb42dc6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_15b000d9-146f-4488-b492-eb656bb42dc6" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_15b000d9-146f-4488-b492-eb656bb42dc6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_320a24a1-fb7c-4c36-8cef-1096dc7cf29c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2022/dei-2022.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_15b000d9-146f-4488-b492-eb656bb42dc6" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_320a24a1-fb7c-4c36-8cef-1096dc7cf29c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_cbe07453-4b5b-48bb-b798-259e44639621" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MinnesotaPowerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_320a24a1-fb7c-4c36-8cef-1096dc7cf29c" xlink:to="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_cbe07453-4b5b-48bb-b798-259e44639621" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_SWLPMember_355f30db-2bfa-4f7f-b32d-2cbd1af7b03b" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_SWLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_320a24a1-fb7c-4c36-8cef-1096dc7cf29c" xlink:to="loc_ale_SWLPMember_355f30db-2bfa-4f7f-b32d-2cbd1af7b03b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_bc66dc76-bd7c-4387-bf49-c366e24dbd54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ale_EnvironmentalMattersTable_be6dbd19-5048-46a8-9f89-1d7d772043b3" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_bc66dc76-bd7c-4387-bf49-c366e24dbd54" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_bc66dc76-bd7c-4387-bf49-c366e24dbd54_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_bc66dc76-bd7c-4387-bf49-c366e24dbd54" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_bc66dc76-bd7c-4387-bf49-c366e24dbd54_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_b9f28d46-0236-428e-b00f-0a7cd413b95c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2022/elts/srt-2022.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_bc66dc76-bd7c-4387-bf49-c366e24dbd54" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_b9f28d46-0236-428e-b00f-0a7cd413b95c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_SuperiorWIMember_ab488cea-21db-45e7-939c-5a7638a4ab76" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_SuperiorWIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_b9f28d46-0236-428e-b00f-0a7cd413b95c" xlink:to="loc_ale_SuperiorWIMember_ab488cea-21db-45e7-939c-5a7638a4ab76" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesOtherMattersDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesOtherMattersDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesOtherMattersDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ibdfac490844842ffb2fa4cf475e8d420_CommitmentsGuaranteesandContingenciesOtherMattersDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsLineItems_cefe29d9-76f2-4791-a63f-8157db4faebb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GuarantorObligationsCollateralHeldDirectlyorbyThirdPartiesAmount_1ed5af43-2da7-47bd-8a25-f0be48a81273" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GuarantorObligationsCollateralHeldDirectlyorbyThirdPartiesAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsLineItems_cefe29d9-76f2-4791-a63f-8157db4faebb" xlink:to="loc_ale_GuarantorObligationsCollateralHeldDirectlyorbyThirdPartiesAmount_1ed5af43-2da7-47bd-8a25-f0be48a81273" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure_6ace82c3-2d5f-4228-bdaf-1eeb1efe1165" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsLineItems_cefe29d9-76f2-4791-a63f-8157db4faebb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure_6ace82c3-2d5f-4228-bdaf-1eeb1efe1165" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_754ef067-b98d-4c00-bf81-b98565491037" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsLineItems_cefe29d9-76f2-4791-a63f-8157db4faebb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_754ef067-b98d-4c00-bf81-b98565491037" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTable_4c06a16f-389c-4301-8c3e-f457afc7bdda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsLineItems_cefe29d9-76f2-4791-a63f-8157db4faebb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTable_4c06a16f-389c-4301-8c3e-f457afc7bdda" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeAxis_7fdd2831-39bc-44e2-a31b-146722789418" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTable_4c06a16f-389c-4301-8c3e-f457afc7bdda" xlink:to="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeAxis_7fdd2831-39bc-44e2-a31b-146722789418" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain_7fdd2831-39bc-44e2-a31b-146722789418_default" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeAxis_7fdd2831-39bc-44e2-a31b-146722789418" xlink:to="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain_7fdd2831-39bc-44e2-a31b-146722789418_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain_d42a763d-0a37-4bcd-8e54-f54fbd8830e7" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeAxis_7fdd2831-39bc-44e2-a31b-146722789418" xlink:to="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain_d42a763d-0a37-4bcd-8e54-f54fbd8830e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_RegulatedOperationsMember_4b2d730c-0ae9-4a5f-8574-c238b8fed836" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_RegulatedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain_d42a763d-0a37-4bcd-8e54-f54fbd8830e7" xlink:to="loc_ale_RegulatedOperationsMember_4b2d730c-0ae9-4a5f-8574-c238b8fed836" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember_89e46fc4-4e6e-4437-a44b-849b54c16aad" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain_d42a763d-0a37-4bcd-8e54-f54fbd8830e7" xlink:to="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember_89e46fc4-4e6e-4437-a44b-849b54c16aad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_BniCoalReclamationLiabilityMember_a4eccad5-da52-433d-9f43-65d2b330703a" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_BniCoalReclamationLiabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain_d42a763d-0a37-4bcd-8e54-f54fbd8830e7" xlink:to="loc_ale_BniCoalReclamationLiabilityMember_a4eccad5-da52-433d-9f43-65d2b330703a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ALLETESouthWindMember_2f7627af-22b0-4daf-a98a-6e2684ccdeec" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ALLETESouthWindMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain_d42a763d-0a37-4bcd-8e54-f54fbd8830e7" xlink:to="loc_ale_ALLETESouthWindMember_2f7627af-22b0-4daf-a98a-6e2684ccdeec" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_5226dff7-faeb-4f2b-b563-29800f43c2c8" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MinnesotaPowerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain_d42a763d-0a37-4bcd-8e54-f54fbd8830e7" xlink:to="loc_ale_MinnesotaPowerMember_5226dff7-faeb-4f2b-b563-29800f43c2c8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_AlleteIncMember_270e095b-03eb-44e2-9f04-df7b2731b52b" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_AlleteIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain_d42a763d-0a37-4bcd-8e54-f54fbd8830e7" xlink:to="loc_ale_AlleteIncMember_270e095b-03eb-44e2-9f04-df7b2731b52b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_SouthShoreEnergyMember_1185726f-aec8-4f24-8fa1-c145432f2f34" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_SouthShoreEnergyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ale_GuaranteeEntityandTypeDomain_d42a763d-0a37-4bcd-8e54-f54fbd8830e7" xlink:to="loc_ale_SouthShoreEnergyMember_1185726f-aec8-4f24-8fa1-c145432f2f34" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis_4a5e9b16-efd9-4d37-9728-f21217185a1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTable_4c06a16f-389c-4301-8c3e-f457afc7bdda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis_4a5e9b16-efd9-4d37-9728-f21217185a1a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain_4a5e9b16-efd9-4d37-9728-f21217185a1a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis_4a5e9b16-efd9-4d37-9728-f21217185a1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain_4a5e9b16-efd9-4d37-9728-f21217185a1a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain_3b27f82e-83fb-4677-aac4-0924e529cb86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis_4a5e9b16-efd9-4d37-9728-f21217185a1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain_3b27f82e-83fb-4677-aac4-0924e529cb86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SuretyBondMember_5b83c471-c3a6-493d-9f23-6987565b79d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SuretyBondMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain_3b27f82e-83fb-4677-aac4-0924e529cb86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SuretyBondMember_5b83c471-c3a6-493d-9f23-6987565b79d8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember_167d81fa-2cd4-46f8-9b92-1e855ec48892" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain_3b27f82e-83fb-4677-aac4-0924e529cb86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StandbyLettersOfCreditMember_167d81fa-2cd4-46f8-9b92-1e855ec48892" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_4d325cf7-06db-488c-bed9-a3dfd16635a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTable_4c06a16f-389c-4301-8c3e-f457afc7bdda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_4d325cf7-06db-488c-bed9-a3dfd16635a8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_4d325cf7-06db-488c-bed9-a3dfd16635a8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_4d325cf7-06db-488c-bed9-a3dfd16635a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_4d325cf7-06db-488c-bed9-a3dfd16635a8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_bcdbfa8e-eae7-442c-918f-8f00c7f7f0d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_4d325cf7-06db-488c-bed9-a3dfd16635a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_bcdbfa8e-eae7-442c-918f-8f00c7f7f0d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyOtherMember_44035af8-a5e6-488d-82ab-cbc1064b4e72" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ALLETECleanEnergyOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_bcdbfa8e-eae7-442c-918f-8f00c7f7f0d2" xlink:to="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyOtherMember_44035af8-a5e6-488d-82ab-cbc1064b4e72" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_32e21d37-b72e-4cb6-a60e-32e45b75cdb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTable_4c06a16f-389c-4301-8c3e-f457afc7bdda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_32e21d37-b72e-4cb6-a60e-32e45b75cdb7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_32e21d37-b72e-4cb6-a60e-32e45b75cdb7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_32e21d37-b72e-4cb6-a60e-32e45b75cdb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_32e21d37-b72e-4cb6-a60e-32e45b75cdb7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_92f615e7-8cc8-48cb-a58b-966780169756" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_32e21d37-b72e-4cb6-a60e-32e45b75cdb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_92f615e7-8cc8-48cb-a58b-966780169756" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember_efb3c138-3552-4f7b-881e-8d5d4b43debc" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_92f615e7-8cc8-48cb-a58b-966780169756" xlink:to="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember_efb3c138-3552-4f7b-881e-8d5d4b43debc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/PensionandOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#PensionandOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/PensionandOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i592abd896a584e42af053b7e90c2323e_PensionandOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTableTextBlockLineItems_6edfabcc-ea25-4fd4-9c0c-4cdf322db220" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTableTextBlockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_6e65bbe2-c53b-4567-820b-0c3bd99d0e17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTableTextBlockLineItems_6edfabcc-ea25-4fd4-9c0c-4cdf322db220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_6e65bbe2-c53b-4567-820b-0c3bd99d0e17" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_9592c168-924d-4796-8414-eadc8fd35b1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_6e65bbe2-c53b-4567-820b-0c3bd99d0e17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_9592c168-924d-4796-8414-eadc8fd35b1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_d49e49ff-c602-499e-8f62-1e6e7b9e14f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_6e65bbe2-c53b-4567-820b-0c3bd99d0e17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_d49e49ff-c602-499e-8f62-1e6e7b9e14f1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_f9bb2d48-23b3-401f-b9de-44a596d96d46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_6e65bbe2-c53b-4567-820b-0c3bd99d0e17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_f9bb2d48-23b3-401f-b9de-44a596d96d46" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_3f147f37-e54f-466d-a930-a7ade0ac3e71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_6e65bbe2-c53b-4567-820b-0c3bd99d0e17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_3f147f37-e54f-466d-a930-a7ade0ac3e71" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_35f64664-53ff-4c35-9d71-2567c18e477b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_6e65bbe2-c53b-4567-820b-0c3bd99d0e17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_35f64664-53ff-4c35-9d71-2567c18e477b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_4560fba5-dae0-427e-a4e5-c32d968837af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_6e65bbe2-c53b-4567-820b-0c3bd99d0e17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_4560fba5-dae0-427e-a4e5-c32d968837af" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer_c8953de7-bca3-4142-9afc-4b1d2a4a36e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTableTextBlockLineItems_6edfabcc-ea25-4fd4-9c0c-4cdf322db220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer_c8953de7-bca3-4142-9afc-4b1d2a4a36e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureEmployerContributionsRemainderOfFiscalYear_33016a55-c0f5-4e47-90fc-e80323f17d79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureEmployerContributionsRemainderOfFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTableTextBlockLineItems_6edfabcc-ea25-4fd4-9c0c-4cdf322db220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureEmployerContributionsRemainderOfFiscalYear_33016a55-c0f5-4e47-90fc-e80323f17d79" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_dd56dcfc-6dff-49e1-bfba-356b65461da6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTableTextBlockLineItems_6edfabcc-ea25-4fd4-9c0c-4cdf322db220" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_dd56dcfc-6dff-49e1-bfba-356b65461da6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9fc78494-bc92-42b5-ae7d-48e1b023d21f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_dd56dcfc-6dff-49e1-bfba-356b65461da6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9fc78494-bc92-42b5-ae7d-48e1b023d21f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_9fc78494-bc92-42b5-ae7d-48e1b023d21f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9fc78494-bc92-42b5-ae7d-48e1b023d21f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_9fc78494-bc92-42b5-ae7d-48e1b023d21f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_007c0f09-10f0-4982-af20-939513ee7533" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_9fc78494-bc92-42b5-ae7d-48e1b023d21f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_007c0f09-10f0-4982-af20-939513ee7533" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_f302b17c-1520-4fc5-a813-b540293eb623" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_007c0f09-10f0-4982-af20-939513ee7533" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_f302b17c-1520-4fc5-a813-b540293eb623" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_cb94bbb0-ccdb-4665-b2ca-fd2f5e9386a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_007c0f09-10f0-4982-af20-939513ee7533" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_cb94bbb0-ccdb-4665-b2ca-fd2f5e9386a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.allete.com/role/BusinessSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#BusinessSegmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.allete.com/role/BusinessSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia404813fef414037befe65a50ce8d421_BusinessSegmentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0d472c98-51ee-4cd1-838d-215e36523697" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_3bff1530-a6b1-47df-94d4-14c93256a86f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0d472c98-51ee-4cd1-838d-215e36523697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_3bff1530-a6b1-47df-94d4-14c93256a86f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_39b837b6-9f8b-44df-89bf-e0df0ca0918c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0d472c98-51ee-4cd1-838d-215e36523697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_39b837b6-9f8b-44df-89bf-e0df0ca0918c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_0e15801c-80ed-4844-9e03-3c3e36e57e58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0d472c98-51ee-4cd1-838d-215e36523697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_0e15801c-80ed-4844-9e03-3c3e36e57e58" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_RevenueOtherThanCustomerRevenue_53ed6e12-7b8f-4981-b06d-0b41970ed6bb" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_RevenueOtherThanCustomerRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0d472c98-51ee-4cd1-838d-215e36523697" xlink:to="loc_ale_RevenueOtherThanCustomerRevenue_53ed6e12-7b8f-4981-b06d-0b41970ed6bb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_fc737f56-7bcf-4633-b902-b6ffa27870eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0d472c98-51ee-4cd1-838d-215e36523697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_fc737f56-7bcf-4633-b902-b6ffa27870eb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_53655a45-ce64-43e6-a3a0-3a989e88e7d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0d472c98-51ee-4cd1-838d-215e36523697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_53655a45-ce64-43e6-a3a0-3a989e88e7d9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_569023d3-99ac-4b33-bd78-2c57286138dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0d472c98-51ee-4cd1-838d-215e36523697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_569023d3-99ac-4b33-bd78-2c57286138dc" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_AfterTaxImpactForPurchasePriceAccounting_425ea438-683f-4967-8de1-8844b894e52a" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_AfterTaxImpactForPurchasePriceAccounting"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0d472c98-51ee-4cd1-838d-215e36523697" xlink:to="loc_ale_AfterTaxImpactForPurchasePriceAccounting_425ea438-683f-4967-8de1-8844b894e52a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_7eaf232f-a435-463b-a2d9-6cc91e42f5dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0d472c98-51ee-4cd1-838d-215e36523697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_7eaf232f-a435-463b-a2d9-6cc91e42f5dd" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_150f2379-dda9-4ce7-abe3-740bddc2db36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_0d472c98-51ee-4cd1-838d-215e36523697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_150f2379-dda9-4ce7-abe3-740bddc2db36" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bcec3070-6103-41db-aef4-aaba48f5d61f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_150f2379-dda9-4ce7-abe3-740bddc2db36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bcec3070-6103-41db-aef4-aaba48f5d61f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_bcec3070-6103-41db-aef4-aaba48f5d61f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bcec3070-6103-41db-aef4-aaba48f5d61f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_bcec3070-6103-41db-aef4-aaba48f5d61f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7ccf53fa-abe0-485e-9211-50ce684920d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bcec3070-6103-41db-aef4-aaba48f5d61f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7ccf53fa-abe0-485e-9211-50ce684920d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_RegulatedOperationsMember_9786d04a-17f6-4a7a-ab35-4ad916f353a7" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_RegulatedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7ccf53fa-abe0-485e-9211-50ce684920d6" xlink:to="loc_ale_RegulatedOperationsMember_9786d04a-17f6-4a7a-ab35-4ad916f353a7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember_bd2fc7c8-e2ae-4527-b486-e778952d9de1" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7ccf53fa-abe0-485e-9211-50ce684920d6" xlink:to="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyMember_bd2fc7c8-e2ae-4527-b486-e778952d9de1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_23e7fba3-0555-4f91-8033-c8dfd1118d44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7ccf53fa-abe0-485e-9211-50ce684920d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_23e7fba3-0555-4f91-8033-c8dfd1118d44" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_62003385-4b2c-4585-b4ee-4fa83ac4c1b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_150f2379-dda9-4ce7-abe3-740bddc2db36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_62003385-4b2c-4585-b4ee-4fa83ac4c1b8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_62003385-4b2c-4585-b4ee-4fa83ac4c1b8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_62003385-4b2c-4585-b4ee-4fa83ac4c1b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_62003385-4b2c-4585-b4ee-4fa83ac4c1b8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_62003385-4b2c-4585-b4ee-4fa83ac4c1b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ResidentialMember_9d8019a0-a33a-4edb-bed3-b0c8c426bf48" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ResidentialMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_ResidentialMember_9d8019a0-a33a-4edb-bed3-b0c8c426bf48" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CommercialMember_087cf3f7-84bf-40f6-ba31-b58029e26fae" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CommercialMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_CommercialMember_087cf3f7-84bf-40f6-ba31-b58029e26fae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_MunicipalMember_2628f5f7-2fce-474b-8860-1a3e8699bee7" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_MunicipalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_MunicipalMember_2628f5f7-2fce-474b-8860-1a3e8699bee7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_IndustrialMember_92684665-eeeb-49e3-b818-0540e77b6a4d" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_IndustrialMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_IndustrialMember_92684665-eeeb-49e3-b818-0540e77b6a4d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_OtherPowerSuppliersMember_5f66ae66-878a-41c3-9801-dafc058b01c0" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_OtherPowerSuppliersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_OtherPowerSuppliersMember_5f66ae66-878a-41c3-9801-dafc058b01c0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_OtherMember_b5e1c568-b0af-4f9f-8f50-0636b99d0b2b" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_OtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_OtherMember_b5e1c568-b0af-4f9f-8f50-0636b99d0b2b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_LongtermPSAMember_3a69855b-453a-46bb-b862-9eeb853c1d37" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_LongtermPSAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_LongtermPSAMember_3a69855b-453a-46bb-b862-9eeb853c1d37" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyOtherMember_d379a915-07ec-4e3f-802a-7f14305efc12" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_ALLETECleanEnergyOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_ALLETECleanEnergyOtherMember_d379a915-07ec-4e3f-802a-7f14305efc12" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_LongtermContractMember_e72fdafa-bd8a-41aa-996c-c74f376033eb" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_LongtermContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_LongtermContractMember_e72fdafa-bd8a-41aa-996c-c74f376033eb" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_CorporateOtherOtherMember_f006c598-1aca-4936-b498-99af6db06301" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_CorporateOtherOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_CorporateOtherOtherMember_f006c598-1aca-4936-b498-99af6db06301" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_SaleOfRenewableDevelopmentProjectsMember_19a9da0c-2304-4a13-b032-7debbd473c9a" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_SaleOfRenewableDevelopmentProjectsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_91543c44-9181-4486-9dfc-590ad6db46ec" xlink:to="loc_ale_SaleOfRenewableDevelopmentProjectsMember_19a9da0c-2304-4a13-b032-7debbd473c9a" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_fce656ce-0daf-42c6-8b89-ae3aab98a700" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_150f2379-dda9-4ce7-abe3-740bddc2db36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_fce656ce-0daf-42c6-8b89-ae3aab98a700" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_fce656ce-0daf-42c6-8b89-ae3aab98a700_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_fce656ce-0daf-42c6-8b89-ae3aab98a700" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_fce656ce-0daf-42c6-8b89-ae3aab98a700_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_e139224a-c72e-4808-a3e2-4e79352bd66f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2022/elts/us-gaap-2022.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_fce656ce-0daf-42c6-8b89-ae3aab98a700" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_e139224a-c72e-4808-a3e2-4e79352bd66f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ale_NewEnergyMember_21dc15fc-567e-4230-bc3c-b9fa03900184" xlink:href="ale-20220930.xsd#ale_NewEnergyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_e139224a-c72e-4808-a3e2-4e79352bd66f" xlink:to="loc_ale_NewEnergyMember_21dc15fc-567e-4230-bc3c-b9fa03900184" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
