1earth science, geography land or soil that is barren has no plants growing on it: the barren hillsides after the fire2a room or area that is barren has nothing in it: a barren apartment in a poor area3old use a woman or a female animal who is barren cannot produce children or baby animalsSYN infertile4science, biology a tree or plant that is barren does not produce fruit or seeds5literary without any useful results: a pointless and barren discussion