1.
the West, Western countries, Occident
Europe and North America, as distinguished from East Asia.
西洋 means "the West" - referring to Europe and North America, as contrasted with East Asia.
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
CONTRAST:
- 西洋: the West, Western countries
- 東洋: the East, Eastern countries (Asia)
- 欧米: Europe and America (more specific)
NOTE:
西洋 often carries connotations of traditional Western culture, while 欧米 is more neutral for modern Western countries.