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

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

Once a sea turtle begins to struggle, the barnacles and algae that latch onto its shell compound the problem. —Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026

Bass' proposal would apply that same restriction to barnacle devices. —Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 7 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