Illustration of barnacle
- 1 peduncle
- 2 cirri
barnacle
noun
bar·na·cle
ˈbär-ni-kəl 
1
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
Examples of barnacle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Saltwater corrodes the moving parts, and marine life like barnacles can jam blades.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026
The study found that the rough concrete surfaces of wind turbine foundations allow sessile organisms — immobile living things like barnacles, sea sponges, and algae — to thrive, and form the basis of a complex food chain.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025
In contrast, loggerheads, with algae and barnacles clinging to their shells, have a seaweedy smell.
—Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping exhibit is Simone Crestani’s brilliant display of lights magnified by approximately 15,000 handblown glass orbs in the shape of sea creatures such as coral, sea urchins, and barnacles.
—Siobhan Morrissey, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
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Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026
The study found that the rough concrete surfaces of wind turbine foundations allow sessile organisms — immobile living things like barnacles, sea sponges, and algae — to thrive, and form the basis of a complex food chain.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025
In contrast, loggerheads, with algae and barnacles clinging to their shells, have a seaweedy smell.
—Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping exhibit is Simone Crestani’s brilliant display of lights magnified by approximately 15,000 handblown glass orbs in the shape of sea creatures such as coral, sea urchins, and barnacles.
—Siobhan Morrissey, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barnacle
Cite this Entry
“Barnacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barnacle. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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)
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