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

Whales are covered in barnacles that don’t hurt the massive animals but allow the barnacles to feed, a commensal relationship. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 May 2025

These textured features mimic natural shoreline conditions and create tiny homes for barnacles, oysters, sponges and other marine organisms that filter and improve water quality. —Sara Pezeshk, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2025

Find rarer picks like octopus, barnacles, razor clams, sea urchin caviar, squids in ink, and even baby eels among the Spanish brand’s offerings. —Mackenzie Chung Fegan, Bon Appétit, 11 Mar. 2025

Tanya is no one to Belinda — a barnacle of a past life that never materialized. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 9 Mar. 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