barnacle

noun bar·na·cle \ ˈbär-ni-kəl \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of barnacle

1 : barnacle goose

[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

play \-kəld\ adjective

See barnacle defined for English-language learners

See barnacle defined for kids

Recent Examples of barnacle from the Web

Use a sharp paring knife to scrape off any barnacles or dirt on the shells, and check for beards.

— rochelle bilow, Bon Appetit, "How to Cook Mussels Like Some Kind of Professional Mussel-Cooker," 9 Apr. 2018
In the days of wooden ships, when no dry dock was available, a captain would have the crew careen the ship, tilt it on its side on a beach to clear off barnacles and make repairs to the hull.

— john e. mcintyre, baltimoresun.com, "What an editor can learn from a dog-whistle edit," 29 Mar. 2018
The filtered mash gets a second life in animal deterrent sprays and coatings that keep barnacles off boat hulls.

— tristan baurick, NOLA.com, "Tabasco's homeland fights for survival in Louisiana against storms and rising seas," 27 Jan. 2018
Some of his visitors travel more than 15 hours by plane for a 35-minute ride with Moullec and his avian companions, often spotting cranes and geese like the brent, barnacle, red-breasted, and greylag species.

— National Geographic, "Stunning Video Shows a Man Flying With Birds," 4 Jan. 2018
This contributes to the growth of an underground economy in which shoe companies, agents, financial advisors and other barnacles attach themselves to athletes who are short on cash but long on earning potential.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "It's time to stop pretending that a 'free ride' is just compensation for college athletes | Tim Sullivan," 6 Jan. 2018
The chopped horse mussel cooked briefly with diced aromatics, was a mere 50 years old, its ancient shell bristling with barnacles and fossilized algae.

— jonathan gold, latimes.com, "The world's most influential restaurant reinvents itself. Jonathan Gold tastes the changes," 2 Mar. 2018
Hicks seemed like the one barnacle that would never dislodge from the sinking presidency.

— luke darby, GQ, "Hope Hicks Sure Tendered Her Resignation at an Odd Time," 28 Feb. 2018
The oyster's shell is clean, with not a single barnacle clinging to it.

— todd a. price, NOLA.com, "What makes a Gulf oyster worth $3 apiece? Farmed oysters guarantee flavor, chefs say," 27 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'barnacle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of barnacle

Origin and Etymology of barnacle

Middle English barnakille, alteration of bernake, bernekke

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

anemone, cephalopod, quahog

BARNACLE Defined for English Language Learners

barnacle

noun

Definition of barnacle for English Language Learners

: a kind of small shellfish that attaches itself to rocks and the bottoms of boats underwater

BARNACLE Defined for Kids

barnacle

noun bar·na·cle \ ˈbär-ni-kəl \

Definition of barnacle for Students

: a small saltwater crustacean that becomes permanently attached (as to rocks or the bottoms of boats) as an adult

Learn More about barnacle

Spanish Central: Translation of barnacle Nglish: Translation of barnacle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of barnacle for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about barnacle

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up barnacle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

barnacle

Definition of barnacle

barnacled

Recent Examples of barnacle from the Web

Illustration of barnacle

Origin and Etymology of barnacle

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

BARNACLE Defined for English Language Learners

barnacle

Definition of barnacle for English Language Learners

BARNACLE Defined for Kids

barnacle

Definition of barnacle for Students

Learn More about barnacle

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

mollycoddle

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

True or False?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

barnacle

Definition of barnacle

barnacled

Recent Examples of barnacle from the Web

Illustration of barnacle

Origin and Etymology of barnacle

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

BARNACLE Defined for English Language Learners

barnacle

Definition of barnacle for English Language Learners

BARNACLE Defined for Kids

barnacle

Definition of barnacle for Students

Learn More about barnacle

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes