A system and method for providing service definition packages for use with a cloud computing environment. In accordance with an embodiment, a cloud platform enables provisioning of enterprise software applications (e.g., Fusion Middleware applications) within a cloud environment. In an embodiment, enterprise applications can be packaged as service definition packages (SDP). Each SDP can include an application binary component, a metadata defining the application's service characteristics and requirements, and a plugin that enables the SDP to be installed into the cloud platform. The SDP can also include a virtual assembly that defines a topology and configuration for a set of virtual appliances. The application, as defined by its SDP, can be instantiated as one or more services that are then accessible by other (e.g., customer) applications within the cloud environment.