barbel

1 of 2

noun (1)

bar·​bel ˈbär-bəl How to pronounce barbel (audio)
: a European freshwater cyprinid fish (Barbus barbus) with four barbels on its upper jaw
also : any of various closely related fishes

barbel

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a slender tactile process on the lips of certain fishes (such as catfishes)

Examples of barbel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
There are two pairs of barbels, or the fleshy, whisker-like protrusions found on some fish, on the new species’ face, according to the study. — Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *barbellus, diminutive of Latin barbus barbel, from barba beard — more at beard

Noun (2)

obsolete French, from Middle French, diminutive of barbe barb, beard

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barbel was in the 14th century

Rhymes for barbel

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Browse Nearby Words

barbeiro
barbel
barbell
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Cite this Entry

“Barbel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbel. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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Kids Definition

barbel

noun
bar·​bel
ˈbär-bəl
: a slender process on the lip of some fishes (as a catfish) that is used for feeling

More from Merriam-Webster on barbel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about barbel

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