Definition of "barren" in Englisch

adjective

1. (of people and animals, not comparable) Not bearing children, childless; hence also unable to bear children, sterile.

   • I silently wept as my daughter's husband rejected her. What would she do now that she was no longer a maiden but also barren?

2. (of plants, not comparable) Not bearing seed or fruit.

3. (of places) Of poor fertility, infertile; not producing vegetation; desert, waste.

4. (with of) Devoid, lacking.

   • August 28, 1731, Jonathan Swift, letter to John Gay But schemes are perfectly accidental. Some will appear barren of hints and matter, but prove to be fruitful.

5. Devoid of interest or attraction, poor, bleak.

6. Unproductive, fruitless, unprofitable; empty, hollow, vain.

7. Mentally dull or unproductive; stupid or intellectually fallow.

noun

1. An area of low fertility and habitation, a desolate place.

2. (usually in the plural) In particular, a usually elevated and flat expanse of land that only supports the growth of small trees and shrubs, and sometimes mosses or heathers, berries, and other marshy or moory vegetation, but little agriculture and few people.

   • The pine barrens are a site lonely enough to suit any hermit.
   • Here it was now, by the side of a Swamp in the Barrens of Newfoundland, threadbare, wet, dirty.