1. To hit with force again and again: Rosetta pounded the nails into the wooden fence in order to make it more secure.

Karl's little girl was in her bedroom and couldn't get it open, so she was pounding on the door hoping someone would come and help her get out.

2. To break or to crush something into very small pieces by hitting it repeatedly: The grains of wheat were pounded into flour.
3. To work hard at something for a long time: Hank was pounding away at his computer like he usually did until late at night as he was striving to complete more of his website project.
4. To beat quickly and loudly: Jillian woke up from the dream that she was having with her heart pounding in her ears.