1. small marine crustaceans that attach themselves permanently to rocks, ship hulls, and other underwater surfaces
Usage: marine biology
2. people or things that cling persistently to someone or something
Usage: informal; figurative

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 couldn’t shake off those barnacles who followed him everywhere.
• The celebrity was surrounded by barnacles hoping for attention.