Definition of: barren

(bar′ən) adjective
1. Incapable of producing, or not producing, offspring; sterile.
2. Not producing fruit; unfruitful.
3. Unprofitable, as an enterprise.
4. Lacking in interest or attractiveness; dull.
5. Not producing; lacking: barren of creative effort. See synonyms under BLANK, MEAGER.
—noun
1. A tract of barren land.
2. Usually plural A tract of level land, having a sandy soil without trees and producing only scrubby growth. ◆ Homophone baron. [<OF baraigne]
—bar′ren·ly adverb
—bar′ren·ness noun