1. The neutral is considered a ground return, in relation to the two
hot
220v legs

The Neutral is a current carrying conductor, for the 110 in this case.
It is connected to ground in the entrance panel for safety to keep the
hot wires from floating from ground.

Also the neutral is called a grounded conductor.

Ideally the neutral will never return any current to the ground because
loads are ideally supposed to be balanced. Probably rarely achieved.
If the unbalance is sufficient it can raise the ground connection about
ground by several or more volts AC

And FWIW:
The output of the transformer that feeds you house is usually two
windings. Connected so they add to give 220. The two windings are
interspaced with the primary for transformer efficiency among other
reasons.