For a woman to be barren was accounted a severe punishment among the Jews (Genesis 16:2; 30:1-23; 1 Samuel 1:6, 27; Isaiah 47:9; 49:21; Luke 1:25). Instances of barrenness are noticed (Genesis 11:30; 25:21; 29:31; Judges 13:2, 3; Luke 1:7, 36).

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (a.) Incapable of producing offspring; producing no young; sterile; -- said of women and female animals.

2. (a.) Not producing vegetation, or useful vegetation; /rile.

3. (a.) Unproductive; fruitless; unprofitable; empty.

4. (a.) Mentally dull; stupid.

5. (n.) A tract of barren land.

6. (n.) 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.