Incapable of producing offspring; producing no young; sterile; -- said of women and female animals. Not producing vegetation, or useful vegetation; /rile. Unproductive; fruitless; unprofitable; empty. Mentally dull; stupid. A tract of barren land. Elevated lands or plains on which grow small trees, but not timber; as, pine barrens; oak barrens. They are not necessarily sterile, and are often fertile.