First Known Use: 13th century
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
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
See barren defined for English-language learners
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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
Related to BARREN
- Synonyms
- bony (also boney), dead, desolate, hardscrabble, impoverished, infertile, poor, stark, unfertile, unproductive, waste
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
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
Related to BARREN
- Synonyms
- wasteland, desert, desolation, heath, no-man's-land, waste
Other Ecology Terms
BARREN[1] 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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