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issue

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Definition of issue

noun

  • 1an important topic or problem for debate or discussion:the issue of racism raising awareness of environmental issues
  • (issues) personal problems or difficulties:emotions and intimacy issues that were largely dealt with through alcohol I like him, though I have some issues with the guy
  • (issues) problems or difficulties, especially with a service or facility:a small number of users are experiencing connectivity issues
  • 2 [mass noun] the action of supplying or distributing an item for use, sale, or official purposes:the issue of notes by the Bank of England
  • [count noun] a number or set of items distributed at one time:a share issue has been launched
  • [count noun] each of a regular series of publications:the December issue of the magazine
  • 3a result or outcome of something:the chance of carrying such a scheme to a successful issue was small
  • 4the action of flowing or coming out:a point of issue
  • 5 [mass noun] formal or Law children of one’s own:the earl died without male issue

verb (issues, issuing, issued)

  • 1 [with object] supply or distribute (something) for use or sale:licences were issued indiscriminately to any company Christmas stamps to be issued in November
  • (issue someone with) supply someone with (something):everyone was issued with a gas mask
  • formally send out or make known:the minister issued a statement
  • 2 [no object] (issue from) come, go, or flow out from:exotic smells issued from a nearby building
  • result or be derived from:the struggles of history issue from the divided heart of humanity

Phrases

at issue

under discussion; in dispute: the point at issue is quality

make an issue of

treat too seriously or as a problem.

take issue with

disagree with; challenge:she takes issue with the notion of crime as unique to contemporary society

Derivatives

issuable

adjective

issuance

noun

issueless

adjective

issuer

noun

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'outflowing'): from Old French, based on Latin exitus, past participle of exire 'go out'

issue in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of issue in the US English dictionary
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