Dictionary

1barren

adjective bar·ren \ˈber-ən, ˈba-rən\

: having very few plants : not suitable for plants

: not producing fruit or not able to produce fruit

of a woman or female animal : not able to produce children or offspring

Full Definition of BARREN

1
:  not reproducing: as
a :  incapable of producing offspring —used especially of females or matings
b :  not yet or not recently pregnant
c :  habitually failing to fruit
2
:  not productive: as
a :  producing little or no vegetation :  desolate <barren deserts>
b :  producing inferior crops <barren soil>
c :  unproductive of results or gain :  fruitless <a barren scheme>
3
:  devoid, lacking —used with of <barren of excitement>
4
:  lacking interest or charm <a barren routine>
5
:  lacking inspiration or ideas <a barren mind>
bar·ren·ly adverb
bar·ren·ness \-ə(n)-nəs\ noun
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Origin of BARREN

Middle English bareine, from Anglo-French barain, perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Welsh brynar fallow land
First Known Use: 13th century

Synonym Discussion of BARREN

bare, naked, nude, bald, barren mean deprived of naturally or conventionally appropriate covering. bare implies the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable <an apartment with bare walls>. naked suggests absence of protective or ornamental covering but may imply a state of nature, of destitution, or of defenselessness <poor half-naked children>. nude applies especially to the unclothed human figure <a nude model posing for art students>. bald implies actual or seeming absence of natural covering and may suggest a conspicuous bareness <a bald mountain peak>. barren often suggests aridity or impoverishment or sterility <barren plains>.

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

Rhymes with BARREN

2barren

noun

Definition of BARREN

1
plural :  an extent of usually level land having an inferior growth of trees or little vegetation
2
:  a tract of barren land

First Known Use of BARREN

1651

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra
BARREN Defined for Kids

barren

adjective bar·ren \ˈber-ən\

Definition of BARREN for Kids

1
:  unable to produce seed, fruit, or young <barren plants>
2
:  growing only poor or few plants <barren soil>
Medical Dictionary

barren

adjective bar·ren \ˈbar-ən\

Medical Definition of BARREN

:  incapable of producing offspring—used especially of females or matings
bar·ren·ness \-ən-nəs\ noun
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