barnacle

noun

bar·​na·​cle ˈbär-ni-kəl How to pronounce barnacle (audio)
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 How to pronounce barnacle (audio)
adjective

Illustration of barnacle

Illustration of barnacle
  • 1 peduncle
  • 2 cirri

Examples of barnacle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That invasion, which saw the new barnacle outcompete other native species, was linked to New Zealand ships being held in English ports while awaiting convoy escorts. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026 Trapped between the barnacles can be several invasive species that wreak havoc on marine environments. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 Its arrival is announced by close-ups of barnacles, of rusty edges on ancient metal, of curious plant growth and moldy, tangled coils of black rope, as if its return was just part of a broader natural order. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 June 2026 Other steps needed to restart regular shipping traffic — from resetting insurance rates to scraping barnacles off tanker hulls — will take longer. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for barnacle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English barnakille, alteration of bernake, bernekke

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of barnacle was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing barnacle

Browse Nearby Words

Barnaby bright
barnacle
barnacled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Barnacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barnacle. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

barnacle

noun
bar·​na·​cle ˈbär-ni-kəl How to pronounce barnacle (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce barnacle (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on barnacle

Nglish: Translation of barnacle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about barnacle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All