Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1100-1200
Language: Old French
Origin: baraine


Related topics: Birth
1TA land or soil that is barren has no plants growing on it
Thousands of years ago the surface was barren desert.
2MB old-fashioned unable to produce children or baby animals - used of a woman or of female animals [= infertile; ≠ fertile]
3 a tree or plant that is barren does not produce fruit or seeds
4 used to describe something that does not look interesting or attractive:
The sports hall was a rather barren concrete building.
5 used to describe a period of time during which you do not achieve anything or get any useful results:
I scored five in the first seven games, but I've had a bit of a barren patch since then.

Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?

Explore our topic dictionary