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

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

Seeking higher and drier ground, the windsurfer noticed a hard hat encrusted with barnacles. —Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 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