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

Months of inactivity allow microbes, algae, barnacles and other invertebrates to colonize submerged surfaces. — Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Large, yellow rectangular devices known as barnacles are slowly being implemented across Kansas City as an alternative to traditional towing for vehicles with multiple unpaid parking violations. — Joseph Hernandez august 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026

In the video obtained by AP, divers could be seen jumping from their boats and swimming down to heaps of amphorae, each of which was covered in years of sand and barnacles. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026

That invasion, which saw the new barnacle outcompete other native species, was linked to New Zealand ships being held in English ports while awaiting convoy escorts. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 Aug. 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