1East and west; the two directions, or the span between them.
この橋は町の東西を結んでいる。
This bridge connects the east and west sides of the town.
東西に長い日本列島は、地域によって気候が大きく異なる。
The Japanese archipelago, which stretches long from east to west, has very different climates depending on the region.
道に迷って、東西もわからなくなってしまった。
I got lost and couldn't even tell east from west anymore.
この地方は東西に走る鉄道が発達している。
This region has well-developed railways running east to west.
2The West (Europe, the Americas) and the East (Japan, China, etc.); used to contrast cultures or ways of thinking.
東西の食文化を比較すると、興味深い違いがたくさん見つかる。
Comparing the food cultures of East and West, you find many interesting differences.
その学者は東西の思想を融合させた哲学を提唱した。
That scholar proposed a philosophy that fused Eastern and Western thought.
古今東西、人々は同じような悩みを抱えてきた。
Throughout all times and places, people have carried similar worries.
3An old-fashioned call used at performances or vaudeville shows to draw the audience's attention before the show begins (short for "Tozai, tozai!").
口上役が「とうざーい、とうざい」と声を張り上げ、演目が始まった。
The announcer called out "Tozai, tozai!" and the performance began.
昔の見世物小屋では「東西、東西」と呼びかけて客を集めた。
At old-time sideshow tents, they used to call out "Tozai, tozai!" to gather customers.