1. a small marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to rocks, ship hulls, and other underwater surfaces
Usage: marine biology
2. a person who clings persistently to someone or something
Usage: informal

Examples

• The old ship’s hull was covered with barnacles after years at sea.
• We had to scrape the barnacles off the boat before painting it.
• Barnacles filter food from the water using their feathery appendages.
• The pier’s wooden posts were encrusted with barnacles and seaweed.
• He’s such a barnacle – he never leaves her alone at parties.
• The rocky shore was dotted with clusters of white barnacles.
• Marine biologists study how barnacles attach to different surfaces.