1
: not reproducing: such as
a
: incapable of producing offspring
—used especially of females or matings
barren women
b
: not yet or not recently pregnant
c
of plants
: habitually failing to fruit
barren apple trees
2
4
: lacking interest or charm
a barren routine
5
: lacking inspiration or ideas
a barren mind
barrenly
adverb
1
barrens plural, geography
: an extent of usually level land having an inferior growth of trees or little vegetation
2
: a tract of barren land
Examples of barren in a Sentence
Adjective
Few creatures can thrive on these barren mountaintops.
The book was good, but I found the barren lives of the characters depressing.
Noun
lived out in the barrens where it was impossible to grow anything
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
His dread turned to panic when Hochheiser, 79, was unloaded at Villa Rosa III, a 48-bed assisted living home with peeling paint, burglar bars, barren planters and a history of poor care.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
This man did not get famous and get skinty for his DMs to be barren.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
The surrounding rocky landscape is barren, making the formation stand out even more.
—New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barren
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Adjective
In some places, fish catches declined precipitously in medium depths, which Joye attributes to nutritionally barren conditions.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
His dread turned to panic when Hochheiser, 79, was unloaded at Villa Rosa III, a 48-bed assisted living home with peeling paint, burglar bars, barren planters and a history of poor care.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
This man did not get famous and get skinty for his DMs to be barren.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
The surrounding rocky landscape is barren, making the formation stand out even more.
—New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for barren
Cite this Entry
“Barren.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barren. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
barren
1 of 2 adjective
bar·ren
ˈbar-ən 
1
a
: not able to produce offspring
—used especially of females
b
: usually failing to fruit
barren apple trees
2
a
: producing inferior or little to no vegetation
barren soils
b
: not producing results or gain
a barren plan
barrenly
adverb
barren
2 of 2 noun
: a tract of barren land
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