1. Animal: This is the most common meaning. A hound is a type of dog bred for hunting, especially by scent.
Examples:
* "The bloodhound followed the scent of the criminal."
* "The beagle is a small type of hound."
2. Verb:
* To pursue: "The police hounded the suspect."
* To harass: "She was hounded by the paparazzi."
3. Adjective:
* Relating to a hound: "The hound dog was a popular breed in the 1950s."
4. Slang:
* Unpleasant or despicable person: "He's a real hound."
It's important to understand the context to determine the specific meaning of "hound."