Historically:
* The Americas: This is the most common meaning. It refers to the continents of North and South America, which were "new" to Europeans when they first arrived in the 15th and 16th centuries.
* Australia and Oceania: Sometimes, these landmasses are also included in the "New World," as they were also discovered relatively late by Europeans.
Modern Usage:
* Anything New: "New World" can be used in a more general sense to refer to anything that is new, innovative, or different from what was previously known or existing.
* Specific Geographic Locations: Sometimes, "New World" is used to refer to specific regions, such as "New World wines" (wines produced in the Americas) or "New World cities" (cities in the Americas that are rapidly developing).
To fully understand the meaning of "New World," it is important to consider the context in which it is used.
For example:
* "The explorers set sail for the New World." This clearly refers to the Americas.
* "This band plays a new style of New World music." This could refer to any new and innovative musical genre.
* "This New World wine is surprisingly complex." This refers to a wine produced in the Americas.