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a continent in the W part of the landmass lying between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, separated from Asia by the Ural Mountains on the E and the Caucasus Mountains and the Black and Caspian seas on the SE. In British usage, Europe sometimes contrasts with England. About 4,017,000 sq. mi. (10,404,000 sq. km).
Classical Mythology, (def 1).
Contemporary Examples

At least in premodern Europe and Puritan North America, witch-hunting follows certain patterns.
Will Saudi Arabia Execute Guest Workers for ‘Witchcraft’? Michael Schulson March 28, 2014

And the numbers across Europe have dropped dramatically since 2008.
In Our Banks We Trust? Ilana Glazer April 11, 2013

A step that would surely impact Israeli citizens immediately would be to renew a visa requirement for Israelis to enter Europe.
Towards Expanding European Influence Gershon Baskin December 9, 2012

When Viking invaders tore through 9th-century Europe, only one Anglo-Saxon leader was able to withstand their ferocious onslaught.
Scientists Find Remains of Alfred The Great Or King Edward The Elder Nico Hines January 16, 2014

Two world wars, both originating in the heart of Europe, were to follow.
The Greek Threat Jeffrey E. Garten February 24, 2010

Historical Examples

It was in this year that the cholera made its first appearance in Europe.
Tales Of Hearsay Joseph Conrad

It has driven the white people of Europe to the ends of the earth.
Ancient Man Hendrik Willem van Loon

At this time Italy was the home of the graduate teaching for all Europe.
Old-Time Makers of Medicine James J. Walsh

To these maidens, thus united, came Emilia home from Europe.
Malbone Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Or come back to Europe, and take the astonishing case of Austria and Hungary.
Home Rule Harold Spender

noun
the second smallest continent, forming the W extension of Eurasia: the border with Asia runs from the Urals to the Caspian and the Black Sea. The coastline is generally extremely indented and there are several peninsulas (notably Scandinavia, Italy, and Iberia) and offshore islands (including the British Isles and Iceland). It contains a series of great mountain systems in the south (Pyrenees, Alps, Apennines, Carpathians, Caucasus), a large central plain, and a N region of lakes and mountains in Scandinavia. Pop: 724 722 000 (2005 est). Area: about 10 400 000 sq km (4 000 000 sq miles)
(Brit) the continent of Europe except for the British Isles: we’re going to Europe for our holiday
(Brit) the European Union: when did Britain go into Europe?
a type of dinghy, designed to be sailed by one person

from Latin Europa “Europe,” from Greek Europe, of uncertain origin; as a geographic name, first the Homeric hymn to Apollo (522 B.C.E. or earlier):

“Telphusa, here I am minded to make a glorious temple, an oracle for men, and hither they will always bring perfect hecatombs, both those who live in rich Peloponnesus and those of Europe and all the wave-washed isles, coming to seek oracles.”

Often explained as “broad face,” from eurys “wide” (see aneurysm) + ops “face.” But also traditionally linked with Europa, Phoenician princess in Greek mythology. Klein (citing Heinrich Lewy) suggests a possible Semitic origin in Akkad. erebu “to go down, set” (in reference to the sun) which would parallel orient. Another suggestion along those lines is Phoenician ‘ereb “evening,” hence “west.”

Continent that is actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia.