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

But just before departure, an engineer notes barnacles forming along the hull. —David Pennino, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Snapper, grouper, amberjack, and barracuda can patrol decks and passages, while coral, sponges, and barnacles create a habitat for smaller fish. —Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026

Vintage dub techno was grimy, barnacle-encrusted, and often user-unfriendly. —Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026

Epibionts — barnacles, algae, other marine organisms — latch onto a turtle’s shell and body. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026

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