: a European freshwater cyprinid fish (Barbus barbus) with four barbels on its upper jaw
also
: any of various closely related fishes
: a slender tactile process on the lips of certain fishes (such as catfishes)
Examples of barbel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 30 July 2025
The new species was identified by its DNA, lack of eyes, head shape, whisker-like barbels, fin shape and other subtle physical features, the study said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft
july 28, Miami Herald, 28 July 2025
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
The barbel stealthily power the ecosystem's greatest nutrient cycle.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2024
These fish use legs to taste the seafloor (link in description)
Watch on
This discovery wasn’t necessarily a surprise, as other types of fish, such as goatfish and catfish, have taste receptors on the barbels that protrude from their heads.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024
Three pairs of whisker-like barbels hang from their mouths.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 June 2024
The percussion is the smacking lips of countless barbel, a type of catfish, in a feeding frenzy.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2024
Just as the tiny minnow powers the barbel run in the river, which sustains various larger creatures, so do each of our individual choices contribute to the interwoven tapestry of the human species.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2024
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Noun
In all, Johnson and Mathison passed the huge barbels back and forth over their heads six times.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 30 July 2025
The new species was identified by its DNA, lack of eyes, head shape, whisker-like barbels, fin shape and other subtle physical features, the study said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft
july 28, Miami Herald, 28 July 2025
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
The barbel stealthily power the ecosystem's greatest nutrient cycle.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2024
These fish use legs to taste the seafloor (link in description)
Watch on
This discovery wasn’t necessarily a surprise, as other types of fish, such as goatfish and catfish, have taste receptors on the barbels that protrude from their heads.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024
Three pairs of whisker-like barbels hang from their mouths.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 June 2024
The percussion is the smacking lips of countless barbel, a type of catfish, in a feeding frenzy.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2024
Just as the tiny minnow powers the barbel run in the river, which sustains various larger creatures, so do each of our individual choices contribute to the interwoven tapestry of the human species.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Barbel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbel. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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