western

Western is a term with several related meanings in English. It is commonly applied to things associated with the West, particularly the Western world, and to a film, literature, or art genre centered on the American frontier.

The Western world is a cultural and historical concept referring to regions influenced by Greco-Roman heritage, Judeo-Christian religious traditions, and, in later centuries, the Enlightenment and liberal democracy. While centered in Europe and the Americas, the notion extends to other areas with shared political and cultural institutions. The term is not strictly geographic and its boundaries shift with historical and rhetorical context.

The Western genre originated in 19th‑century American literature and cinema and is defined by settings on the North American frontier, themes of law, order, and individualism, and conflicts between civilization and the wilderness. Common elements include cowboys, sheriffs, outlaws, gunfights, and expansive landscapes. Subgenres include the Classic Western, the Spaghetti Western (Italian and Spanish productions of the 1960s–70s), and Revisionist Westerns that question or critique frontier myths. Notable creators include John Ford and Sergio Leone, with Clint Eastwood among prominent actors associated with the genre.

Usage beyond culture and media includes scholarly discussions of Western civilization and geopolitics, where "the West" denotes a group of states sharing modern liberal-democratic and capitalist traditions. In everyday language, Western can also describe Western-style dress or music. The term remains open to interpretation and controversy, reflecting changing global contexts.