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

Seeking higher and drier ground, the windsurfer noticed a hard hat encrusted with barnacles. —Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025

Drones searching for barnacles and robots doing maintenance Drones and robots are being used as behind-the-scenes players on cruise ships. —Fran Golden, AFAR Media, 29 Oct. 2025

The base of the cape will offer views of sea stars, anemones, barnacles, and more. —Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025

That also means that everything else in the water is growing faster, too – like barnacles and bacteria. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 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