Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of providing or distributing something officially: "Issue" can refer to the act of supplying or distributing items, especially by an authority.
   • A subject or problem that is discussed or debated: "Issue" often means an important topic or problem that people are concerned about and discuss.
   • One of a regular series of publications: "Issue" can refer to a single copy of a magazine, newspaper, or journal published at a particular time.
   • The act of coming out or flowing out: "Issue" can mean the action of something coming forth from a source.
   • Result or outcome: In legal or formal contexts, "issue" can refer to offspring or descendants.

2. Verb:

   • To officially give out or supply something: The basic meaning is to distribute something formally or officially.
   • To come out or emerge from a place: "Issue" also means to flow out or come forth from a source.
   • To publish or produce something publicly: "Issue" is used when talking about making something available to the public, like a statement or publication.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The government announced the issue of new passports. (The government announced the distribution of new passports.)
  • The main issue in the election is the economy. (The main topic of debate in the election is the economy.)
  • I bought the latest issue of the science journal. (I bought the most recent copy of the science journal.)
  • There was an issue of steam from the valve. (There was a flow of steam from the valve.)
  • He died without issue. (He died without children.)

• Verb:

  • The office will issue new ID cards next week. (The office will distribute new ID cards next week.)
  • Smoke issued from the chimney. (Smoke came out from the chimney.)
  • The company issued a statement about the incident. (The company published a statement about the incident.)

Advanced Usage

• "At issue": being discussed or disputed.

  • The point at issue is whether the law applies here. (The point being debated is whether the law applies here.)

• "Take issue with": to disagree with or argue against.

  • I must take issue with your interpretation of the data. (I must disagree with your interpretation of the data.)

• "Force the issue": to make a decision necessary by taking decisive action.

  • By resigning, she forced the issue of leadership. (By resigning, she made the leadership decision unavoidable.)

Variants and Related Words

• Issuance (n): the act of issuing something.

  • The issuance of the permit was delayed. (The act of providing the permit was delayed.)

• Issuer (n): an organization that issues something, especially financial instruments.

  • The bond issuer must meet certain obligations. (The organization that issued the bond must meet certain obligations.)

Synonyms

• Topic (n): a subject of discussion or conversation.
• Distribute (v): to give out or deliver something to a number of people.
• Emerge (v): to come out into view from a concealed place.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Issue forth: (formal) to come out from a place.
  • The soldiers issued forth from the castle gates. (The soldiers came out from the castle gates.)

Related Idioms

• Make an issue (out) of something: to treat something as a serious problem, especially when it is not.

  • It was a small mistake; don't make an issue of it. (It was a small mistake; don't treat it as a big problem.)

• The issue is joined: (formal/legal) the point of disagreement in a debate or lawsuit has been clearly stated by both sides.

  • After the opening statements, the issue was joined. (After the opening statements, the central disagreement was clearly defined.)

Noun

1. the act of issuing printed materials
2. an opening that permits escape or release
   • he blocked the way out
   • the canyon had only one issue
3. the becoming visible
   • not a day's difference between the emergence of the andrenas and the opening of the willow catkins
4. the immediate descendants of a person
   • she was the mother of many offspring
   • he died without issue
5. a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
   • the magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise
   • his decision had depressing consequences for business
   • he acted very wise after the event
6. the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
   • the average return was about 5%
7. supplies (as food or clothing or ammunition) issued by the government
8. the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)
   • a new issue of stamps
   • the last issue of penicillin was over a month ago
9. some situation or event that is thought about
   • he kept drifting off the topic
   • he had been thinking about the subject for several years
   • it is a matter for the police
10. one of a series published periodically
    • she found an old issue of the magazine in her dentist's waiting room
11. an important question that is in dispute and must be settled
    • the issue could be settled by requiring public education for everyone
    • politicians never discuss the real issues

Verb

1. make out and issue
   • write out a check
   • cut a ticket
   • Please make the check out to me
2. come out of
   • Water issued from the hole in the wall
   • The words seemed to come out by themselves
3. bring out an official document (such as a warrant)
4. circulate or distribute or equip with
   • issue a new uniform to the children
   • supply blankets for the beds
5. prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
   • publish a magazine or newspaper