barnacle

noun

bar·​na·​cle ˈbär-ni-kəl 

1

: barnacle goose

2

[from a popular belief that the goose grew from the crustacean] : any of numerous marine crustaceans (subclass Cirripedia) with feathery appendages for gathering food that are free-swimming as larvae but permanently fixed (as to rocks, boat hulls, or whales) as adults

barnacled

ˈbär-ni-kəld 

adjective

Illustration of barnacle

• 1 peduncle
• 2 cirri

Examples of barnacle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Of course, barnacles are crustaceans, not molluscs, but Haldane — sensitive to tradition — granted his creatures oyster-like qualities, too. —Thomas Moynihan, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025

Some creatures, like barnacles, can survive on a seawall. —Molly Duerig, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025

The worms have been known to take on roommates such as barnacles and sponges and other small ocean creatures. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025

In the 18th century, copper was used by the Royal Navy to protect wooden ships from barnacles and shipworms. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English barnakille, alteration of bernake, bernekke

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing barnacle

• barnacle goose

Kids Definition

barnacle

noun

bar·​na·​cle ˈbär-ni-kəl 

: any of numerous small saltwater crustaceans with feathery outgrowths for gathering food that are free-swimming as larvae but as adults are permanently fastened (as to rocks or the bottoms of ships)

barnacled

-kəld 

adjective