A snout is the projecting nose and mouth area of an animal, especially one that sticks out noticeably from the face. Pigs have snouts they use for rooting around in mud and dirt to find food. Dogs have snouts they use for sniffing out interesting smells. An elephant's trunk is sometimes called a snout, though it's much longer and more flexible than most.

The word usually describes mammals, but it can apply to other animals too. Alligators and crocodiles have long, powerful snouts filled with teeth. Some fish, like sturgeon, have pointed snouts they use to probe the river bottom.

Animals use their snouts for crucial survival tasks: smelling, breathing, eating, and exploring their environment. A pig's snout is so sensitive and strong it can dig up roots and tubers underground. A dog's snout contains millions more scent receptors than a human nose, letting them detect smells we'd never notice.

When describing people, calling someone's nose a snout is usually meant as an insult, suggesting their nose is unusually large or pig-like. It's not a kind thing to say.